The Vatican Pavilion at the Venice Biennale has the signature of Siza Vieira and Antarte
For Mário Rocha, CEO of Antarte, it was a privilege to collaborate with the prestigious Portuguese architect in the creation of an art installation for the Vatican Pavilion at the upcoming Venice Biennale.
The Vatican's presence at the next Venice Biennale will have a Portuguese signature. Cardinal D. José Tolentino de Mendonça, commissioner of the Vatican Pavilion at the prestigious art and culture fair, invited architect Siza Vieira, 1992 Pritzker Prize winner, and Antarte, to create an art installation to be exhibited in the Vatican pavilion, in the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Under the theme ' Encounter ', Siza Vieira designed an installation of 12 sculptures representing people. They are figures that approach each other, greet each other, and shake hands. The sculptures were produced by Antarte, which used sustainable raw materials, cryptomeria wood from Azores, an option in line with the sustainability policy of the Portuguese furniture brand.
The choice of people statues is related to the theme of meeting in a time of so many disagreements. The statues will be placed as if they were waiting for the public to enter the Vatican Pavilion to lead them into the garden.
From sculpture to the Pritzker… to sculpture
In his youth, Siza Vieira wanted to be a sculptor and ended up as an architect, winner of the Pritzker prize in 1992, an award regularly dubbed the 'Nobel' of Architecture. Celebrating his 90th birthday, Siza Vieira has the chance to fulfil a desire from his youth: to make sculptures.
Siza Vieira sees this project 'as a document and a desire. They are geometric figures, somewhat crude but which are going to be placed in the beautiful atmosphere of the basilica in Venice. There's also an intention in that contrast'.
For Mário Rocha, CEO of Antarte, 'Antarte started with Art. It makes perfect sense for the brand to get involved in projects that incorporate it. The challenge of working with the master of masters of architecture, who initially wanted to be a sculptor and now had the opportunity to make sculptures, was irrefutable. Building timeless pieces of art designed by Siza is a project that will remain not only as a mark of Antarte's 25 years but for posterity.'
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