His chosen phrase “common ground” can also be translated as “common interests” or “common views”, and even as “common ground”. Chipperfield interprets it as the essence of the "culture of architecture", which is shared by all representatives of the profession, as something that unites them all. We are talking about common "intellectual and physical territories", cooperation and dialogue, philosophical and practical continuity that define architecture today and forever.
Clearly recalling the exhibitions of many of his predecessors, the British architect emphasized that he did not want to lose the theme of architecture in the "quagmire of sociological, psychological or artistic discourse."
The accompanying "plot" of the future Biennale - about urban spaces defined by architectural structures - is also derived from "common ground", in this case - in its almost direct meaning of "common ground". Looking at it, the curator wants to find out what architecture can do to define the "total area of the city."
The choice of the theme for the XIII Biennale is also a resistance to the widespread view that the project appears completely finished from the head of its creator. Chipperfield stresses that works of architecture are intrinsically linked - in theory and practice; they share common concerns, influences and challenges.
The line of "commonality" will touch upon the method of selecting participants. The curator plans to invite some of them himself; however, he will not be guided by personal taste and prejudice, but will also try to avoid uncritical "inclusiveness". Then the selected "exhibitors" will name the artists with whom they would like to create a common project. At the same time, as Chipperfield hopes, partnerships will be created that overcome the boundaries of style, age, geography and even profession: despite the strict attitude to architecture as a discipline, he recognizes the importance of participation both in the exhibition and in the creative activities of research institutions, the media, educational institutions, publishers, galleries, foundations, etc. This unifying approach will continue the program of the Biennale: for the second time, universities from all over the world will take part in it in the framework of “Biennale sessions”.
XIII Biennale will be held in Venice from August 29 to November 25, 2012; the opening day is scheduled for August 27-28. This year, 41 countries are expected to participate with national expositions (Kosovo, Kuwait and Peru will be presented for the first time) and, as usual, an expanded parallel program.
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