Venice: Kuwait's participation in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale reflects a contemporary cultural vision, according to Dr. Mohammad Al-Jassar, Secretary-General of Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). His statement to KUNA came on the sidelines of the opening of Kuwait's Pavilion at the prestigious event, which started on Friday and will run until November 23.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the pavilion highlights the efforts of young Kuwaiti innovators who have presented an artistic vision that transcends traditional approaches. Sponsored by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and under the patronage of Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi, Minister of Information and Culture, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Chairman of NCCAL, the event marked a significant cultural milestone for Kuwait.
The opening ceremony saw attendance from various notable figures, including Al-Jassar, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Antiquities and Museums, Mohammed bin Redha, Kuwait's Consul General in Milan and Northern Italy, Sheikh Jaber Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, and Bashar Al-Awadhi, the Executive Director of Kuwait Petroleum International in Italy. Several heads of delegations from the GCC were also present, underscoring the regional importance of the event.
Through the "Kaynouna" project, Kuwait's pavilion reimagines architecture as a field of research and exploration. The project uses architecture to raise questions about identity, history, and material culture, employing experimental drawings, architectural installations, and critical research to transcend conventional narratives. It positions architecture as a living medium that connects Kuwait with its past, present, and future.
The success of the pavilion is attributed to the efforts of Abdulaziz Al-Mazidi, Commissioner of the Kuwait Pavilion, and Hamad Al-Khulaifi, Deputy Commissioner, who have played key roles in bringing this vision to life.