VENICE BIENNALE DAY 1: 8/5
May 9, 2025
VENICE BIENNALE DAY 1: 8/5
I had the privilege of attending the pre opening of the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, witnessing the official opening of the first all First Nations- led pavilion, HOME: AS COUNTRY.
The creative directors and creative sphere of the pavilion includes Dr Michael Mossman, Prof. Emily McDaniel, Jack Gillmer-Lilley, Kaylie Salvatori, Clarence Slockee, Bradley Kerr and Elle Davidson.
Home presents an ambitious and immersive project that embodies the relational strength of Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural practices and design.
Through spatial relationships, materiality and form, the installation provided a place for ceremony (without being prescriptive) and welcomes collective exploration into how we define Home:
‘a place, a memory, a behaviour… a space of cultural integrity and stewardship driven through relationality and deep emotion.’
Being present at the opening was an extremely special moment. Witnessing the process and protocol as the team prepared to officially open the pavilion…there was an energy in the air that I can only describe as the beauty of Aboriginal cultures and cultural practices.
As a First Nations student of architecture, the exposure to this event and specifically the HOME: AS COUNTRY exhibition, has been an experience that I’ll carry throughout my career as a creative and throughout my life as a Butchulla person.
I congratulate all of those who have been involved in this project and commend Michael Mossman, Emily McDaniel, Jack Gillmer-Lilley, Kaylie Salvatori, Clarence Slockee, Bradley Kerr and Elle Davidson on this incredible demonstration of straight up Blak excellence.
