Programme Salon Suisse 2012 - biennials.ch

And whilst we start by using a distinctly
Swiss prism to do all of this, by considering
what Swiss architectural culture shares with,
and how it differs from, architectural culture
more generally, we hope to throw light on the
whole.
The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia asked
me to be your Salonnier. As such I am
the curator of the programme as well as your
personal host. My background is that I am
an architect, curator and writer. I edit Block
magazine and co-edit the new web-based
magazine uncube.
I’ll be present during opening hours to
welcome visitors, make introductions and help
everyone feel at ease. As mentioned, all the
events are held in the Salone of the Palazzo
Trevisan degli Ulivi, a pretty special setting –
with amazing views out to Giudecca – so hope -
fully it won’t be too hard. And in the tradition
of the Salon, evenings are designed to offer a
stimulating atmosphere of intellectual discussion,
mixed with wit and pleasure! – whether
there is a panel discussion, film showing, or
an Open Salon discussion taking place.
I’ve invited practitioners and commentators,
architects, academics, curators, writers
and editors to cue and start the discussions – as
well as you of course, so feel free to join in: the
events are open to all.
Just to note, the Salon Suisse is open
during three weeks of the Biennale, over five
days: Tuesday to Saturday and from 5:30 pm
to 9:30 pm, irrespective of whether an organised
event is taking place on the night or not.
Please see the full diary on pages 26 and 27.
This booklet explains and lists what’s
going on. But just to give an overview of the
Salon, it’s structured around three programmes
of events – discussions, conversations, readings,
presentations, film-screenings – looking
first at architectural theory: what is architecture;
then at teaching and practice: what is it
to be an architect now; and finally architectural
representation: how is architecture
critiqued, disseminated, and more generally
understood out there The whole kicks off with
a major panel discussion organized by
ETH Zurich and we’re also holding a UK/Swiss
weekender in partnership with the British
Council in October.
So welcome again and I hope you enjoy Salon
Suisse.
Robert Guy Wilson
Salonnier, Salon Suisse
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