Uzbekistan's National Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition- La Biennale di Venezia in 2025 presents "A Matter of Radiance." Curated by the architecture studio GRACE, led by Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni, the exhibition explores Uzbekistan's modernist architectural legacy in response to the Biennale's overarching theme, "Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective."
At the center of Uzbekistan's pavilion is the Sun Institute of Material Science, originally known as the Sun Heliocomplex, a large-scale scientific structure built in 1987 near Tashkent. As one of the final major scientific projects of the USSR, the solar furnace remains one of only two such facilities worldwide that study material behavior under extreme temperatures. The exhibition examines the site's historical and contemporary significance, reflecting on its scientific role and cultural relevance beyond national borders.
The pavilion's curators present a dual narrative of the Sun Institute, exploring its ambivalent legacy, as both an advanced technological achievement and an infrastructure shaped by the constraints of its time. The exhibition highlights how the structure embodies contradictions: it is both modernist and archaic, sustainable and unsustainable, didactic and secretive, celebratory and utilitarian. By reinterpreting its architectural and scientific importance, the exhibition aims to ignite discussions about preservation, innovation, and the role of scientific heritage in shaping the future.
Uzbekistan is a country with a rich cultural heritage, and this pavilion is a meaningful step in shining a spotlight on the brilliant and under-recognized Tashkent Modernist legacy. Much like Uzbekistan, the pavilion also looks to the future with a strong commitment to innovation and the aim to create meaningful contributions. The exhibition, curated by GRACE studio, reflects this duality and showcases how the Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI project, initially focused on the preservation of our architectural heritage, also sparks conversations about how we can create a positive future. -Gayane Umerova, chairperson of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation
A key element of the pavilion is a series of architectural fragments that are displayed at the Arsenale in Venice. These fragments, either transported from Uzbekistan or recreated for the exhibition, serve as a theatrical stage within the pavilion, offering a dynamic setting for artistic and conceptual explorations. The project also pays tribute to Sadyk Azimov, the Uzbek physicist and academician who was instrumental in the development of the Sun Institute.
The pavilion builds upon the ongoing Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI research project, initiated in 2021 by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) to document and preserve 24 key modernist sites in Tashkent. The project has led to the recognition of 21 of these sites as national heritage landmarks. The research is further explored in two forthcoming publications: "Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI," edited by Boris Chukhovich, Davide Del Curto, and Ekaterina Golovatyuk (to be published in Spring 2025), and "Tashkent: A Modernist Capital," featuring photography by Karel Balas, set for release in November 2024.
In other similar news, Uzbekistan continues to position itself as a hub for architectural and urban innovation. Cross Works has unveiled a masterplan for a major expansion of Tashkent, aiming to introduce a sustainable and pedestrian-friendly urban environment. Meanwhile, Zaha Hadid Architects has revealed designs for a new scientific research center in Tashkent, set to become a landmark for technological and environmental advancements. Additionally, the exploration of Uzbekistan's modernist heritage remains a focal point, as seen in WaiWai's exhibition "Tashkent: Appropriating Modernism" at the Sharjah Triennial 2023, which examines the adaptation of modernist architecture in the Uzbek context.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on February 20, 2025, and updated on October 7, 2025, to include photographs of the exhibit.
We invite you to check out ArchDaily's comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Venice Biennale.
