Aravena chooses Architecture Biennale theme

(ANSA) - Venice, September 1 - Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena has chosen the theme "Reporting From the Front" for the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale to be held May 28-November 27, after consulting with representatives from the 48 participating countries.
    The 48-year-old presented the theme on Monday with Biennale President Paolo Baratta.
    "For some years now we have been saying that the hallmark of our times is the mismatch between architecture and civil society. Now Alejandro Aravena is taking us into that battleground, showing us that if we strive to formulate clearer questions, which are then taken into account while identifying solutions, architecture really can make a difference," Baratta said.
    In contrast to last year's Biennale, in which Rem Koolhaas shaped everything towards his own personal research, Aravena's Biennale focuses on the external environment.
    "There are several battles that need to be won and several frontiers that need to be expanded in order to improve the quality of the built environment and consequently people's quality of life," Aravena said.
    Aravena participated as a student in the Venice Prize at the 5th Architecture Biennale of 1991.
    He was a professor of architecture at Harvard from 2000 to 2005, where he created the social interest building project Elemental.