5 Asian pavilions telling stories of resilience and culture at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025
Hong Kong Pavilion
Above 'Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive' (Photo: courtesy of Oliver Yin Law)
Where: The Arsenale, Venice
What: The Hong Kong Pavilion presents Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive , curated by Ar Fai Au, the founder of O Studio Architects; Dr Ying Zhou, an urban theorist; and Ar Sing Yeung Sunnie Lau, the founder of SOS Architecture Urban Design Studio. The team spotlights the sunset industry of traditional bamboo scaffolding and the oft-overlooked side of the cityscape, beyond its gleaming, swanky skyscrapers. The pavilion showcases the innovative measures that Hong Kong architects have to take to make the best use of space in Hong Kong's notoriously cramped urban landscape. Korean Pavilion
Above 'Little Toad, Little Toad: Unbuilding Pavilion'
(Photo: courtesy of Korean Pavilion)
Where: The Giardini, Venice
What: South Korea is commemorating its pavilion's 30th anniversary this year at the Venice Biennale. The space was designed by Italian architect Franco Mancuso and Korean architect Kim Seok-chul, who originally built the pavilion within a cluster of trees to emphasise its connection with nature.
Now, it has been reimagined by artists Kim Hyunjong, Heechan Park, Young Yena and Lee Dammy, who have put up site-responsive installations in an exhibition titled the Little Toad, Little Toad: Unbuilding Pavilion . For instance, Kim's New Voyage , which is installed on the rooftop of the pavilion, turns the space of leisure into an open observatory oriented toward the Adriatic Sea. This installation suggests a new perspective on the use of the pavilion's space and the metaphor for a new adventure. Taiwan Pavilion
Above 'Non-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity' (Photo: courtesy of H2O Studio)
Where: Palazzo delle Prigioni
What: Non-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity reflects on the conditions of uncertainty, such as unpredictable natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and the threats of globalisation, which make up the sociopolitical fabric of Taiwan. In the showcase, the artists and the architects highlight sustainable and efficient designs inspired by the region's resilient building culture. For instance, the installation Border Elasticity focuses on the use of futuristic materials such as transparent acrylic sticks for constructing the Tainan Railway Underground. The structure also resembles incense sticks to serve as a metaphor for how people need to navigate crowded urban spaces. Uzbekistan Pavilion
Above 'A Matter of Radiance' (Photo: courtesy of Gerda Studio and the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation)
Where: The Arsenale, Venice
What: Curated by Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni of Grace studio, A Matter of Radiance takes inspiration from the modernist scientific structure, The Sun Institute of Material Science, originally called the Sun Heliocomplex, built in 1987 near Tashkent, which was one of the last major scientific projects of the USSR. The pavilion explores the scientific and cultural relevance of Uzbekistan's recent modernist legacy and its potential.
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Tatler Asia
6 days ago
- Tatler Asia
5 Asian pavilions telling stories of resilience and culture at the Venice Biennale of Architecture 2025
Hong Kong Pavilion Above 'Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive' (Photo: courtesy of Oliver Yin Law) Where: The Arsenale, Venice What: The Hong Kong Pavilion presents Projecting Future Heritage: A Hong Kong Archive , curated by Ar Fai Au, the founder of O Studio Architects; Dr Ying Zhou, an urban theorist; and Ar Sing Yeung Sunnie Lau, the founder of SOS Architecture Urban Design Studio. The team spotlights the sunset industry of traditional bamboo scaffolding and the oft-overlooked side of the cityscape, beyond its gleaming, swanky skyscrapers. The pavilion showcases the innovative measures that Hong Kong architects have to take to make the best use of space in Hong Kong's notoriously cramped urban landscape. Korean Pavilion Above 'Little Toad, Little Toad: Unbuilding Pavilion' (Photo: courtesy of Korean Pavilion) Where: The Giardini, Venice What: South Korea is commemorating its pavilion's 30th anniversary this year at the Venice Biennale. The space was designed by Italian architect Franco Mancuso and Korean architect Kim Seok-chul, who originally built the pavilion within a cluster of trees to emphasise its connection with nature. Now, it has been reimagined by artists Kim Hyunjong, Heechan Park, Young Yena and Lee Dammy, who have put up site-responsive installations in an exhibition titled the Little Toad, Little Toad: Unbuilding Pavilion . For instance, Kim's New Voyage , which is installed on the rooftop of the pavilion, turns the space of leisure into an open observatory oriented toward the Adriatic Sea. This installation suggests a new perspective on the use of the pavilion's space and the metaphor for a new adventure. Taiwan Pavilion Above 'Non-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity' (Photo: courtesy of H2O Studio) Where: Palazzo delle Prigioni What: Non-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity reflects on the conditions of uncertainty, such as unpredictable natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and the threats of globalisation, which make up the sociopolitical fabric of Taiwan. In the showcase, the artists and the architects highlight sustainable and efficient designs inspired by the region's resilient building culture. For instance, the installation Border Elasticity focuses on the use of futuristic materials such as transparent acrylic sticks for constructing the Tainan Railway Underground. The structure also resembles incense sticks to serve as a metaphor for how people need to navigate crowded urban spaces. Uzbekistan Pavilion Above 'A Matter of Radiance' (Photo: courtesy of Gerda Studio and the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation) Where: The Arsenale, Venice What: Curated by Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni of Grace studio, A Matter of Radiance takes inspiration from the modernist scientific structure, The Sun Institute of Material Science, originally called the Sun Heliocomplex, built in 1987 near Tashkent, which was one of the last major scientific projects of the USSR. The pavilion explores the scientific and cultural relevance of Uzbekistan's recent modernist legacy and its potential.
Tatler Asia
16-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
Beyond K-pop: Meet the artists representing South Korean culture on the global stage
2. Bong Joon-ho, film director The director of Parasite —the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars—continues to dismantle cinematic boundaries. Bong Joon-ho's genre-bending narratives blend social critique with popular appeal, reframing how global audiences view Korean storytelling. In 2025, he released Mickey 17 , a sci-fi film starring Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo, further expanding his international influence. Korean storytelling traditions. 3. Han Kang, novelist Since winning the Man Booker International Prize for The Vegetarian , Han Kang has cemented her status as one of Korean literature's most poignant voices. Her lyrical yet unflinching prose explores trauma, identity, and the female psyche. In 2024, she received the Nobel Prize in Literature—a landmark moment for Korean letters on the world stage. 4. Park Chan-wook, film director The visionary behind Oldboy and Decision to Leave continues his streak of critical acclaim with his Baeksang screenplay win for Uprising . Park's signature visual opulence—meticulously composed frames that marry beauty with violence—represents South Korean cinema at its most intellectually ambitious and visually sumptuous. Don't miss: Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Winners, history and why it's Korea's most prestigious night 5. Sohee Park, fashion designer As the creative force behind Miss Sohee, Sohee Park has brought traditional Korean aesthetics into conversation with avant-garde couture. Her sculptural, detail-rich creations have appeared on red carpets and magazine covers around the world, establishing her as one of fashion's most exciting and culturally resonant new voices. Don't miss: Paris Haute Couture Week: How Asian couturiers have made their mark 6. Unsuk Chin, composer Unsuk Chin's experimental compositions have reshaped the contemporary classical music landscape. Her works—at once mathematically complex and emotionally charged—are performed by major orchestras across Europe, Asia, and North America, placing South Korean musical innovation firmly on the global avant-garde map. 7. Hwang Dong-hyuk, film and TV director Beyond creating the cultural phenomenon Squid Game, Hwang's unflinching examination of capitalism's psychological toll has permanently altered global perceptions of Korean storytelling. His visually arresting and thematically uncompromising works demonstrate South Korean culture's capacity for incisive social commentary. 8. Mingoo Kang (chef) At the three-Michelin-starred Mingles, Kang crafts culinary narratives that reinterpret traditional Korean gastronomy through a contemporary lens. His approach—intellectually rigorous yet sensually satisfying—has established South Korean cuisine as a sophisticated global contender beyond popular street food iterations. 9. Ahn Eun-me, choreographer Through her boldly unconventional choreography, Ahn has revolutionised contemporary dance with vibrant explorations of tradition and modernity. Her performances—visually spectacular and conceptually daring—represent South Korean culture at its most physically dynamic. 10. Do Ho Suh, visual artist Best known for his translucent fabric installations that replicate homes and personal spaces, Do Ho Suh turns displacement and memory into immersive art. His work speaks to both the Korean diaspora and universal questions of identity and belonging—capturing the ephemeral nature of place in an increasingly nomadic world. These artists form the vanguard of South Korean culture's global ascent. Beyond K-pop lies a universe of creativity that is not only globally accessible—but culturally essential. Their influence is reshaping how the world sees Korea: not just as a trendsetter, but as a defining force in contemporary art, fashion, food, literature and performance. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
Irish Daily Star
26-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
Real reason Prince William and Donald Trump didn't wear black to Pope's funeral
Many onlookers at Pope Francis' funeral were left puzzled - and even outraged - as to why Donald Trump and Prince William opted out of the customary black attire. While St Peter's Square was a sea of traditional black mourning clothes, the few who diverged from this norm were glaringly noticeable. Social media channel X, previously known as Twitter, has been abuzz with comments from viewers criticizing Trump for his perceived lack of respect ... and by association, Prince William. Read More Related Articles Joe Biden appears concerned for wife Jill's health as he asks pointed question at Pope's funeral Read More Related Articles Donald Trump's 7-word exchange with Melania at Pope's funeral sparks 'side eye' One user questioned: "Any reason why Donald Trump is in a blue suit and not wearing traditional black for a funeral?". Another observed: "I see that Trump's wearing a blue suit to the Pope's funeral so that he stands out." (Image: AP) A third remarked: "Watching the funeral on BBC News. Trump is in a blue suit when everyone else is in black. No class." Yet another pointed out: "Why is Trump wearing a blue suit while everyone else is in black? No respect." And one more noted: "Looking to be noticed - Trump wears a blue suit while others around him confirm with traditional black." (Image: AFP via Getty Images) However, there could be a valid explanation for their sartorial choices - neither Trump nor Prince William are Catholic. The Roman Catholic Church has deep-rooted traditions, including strict guidelines for funeral attire. Black is the standard color for a Catholic funeral, symbolizing mourning and offering respect to the departed. Other faiths do not mandate black attire as strictly, although it is commonly accepted as appropriate funeral wear. Trump, a nondenominational Christian, and Wills, from the Church of England, may have decided not to don black attire as a sign of their non-Catholic faith. (Image: Getty Images) A user on X platform defended Trump, stating: "You don't understand the protocols. Trump isn't Catholic. Prince William is in a blue suit too." Despite recent tensions with Trump over informal attire during a White House visit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, showed up wearing black. Muhammad Yunus, a chief advisor from Bangladesh and a Muslim, also chose to wear black. However, giving some benefit of doubt to Trump and Wills, India's President Droupadi Murmu was seen in blue, aligning with her Hindu beliefs.
