AILATI. Reflections from the future is a play on words, a reversal of the country’s name that opens up a new reading on Italian contemporary architecture in an original and sideways glance at reality, designs and objects. The exhibition is a path on a 1800 mq mainly divided into three theme sections:

Amnesia. Italian Contemporary Architecture 1990-2010 is a timely reading of Italian architecture during the last 20 years, fostering a sharper and more aware understanding of Italian design culture last developments. From the last post-war masters (Ignazio Gardella, Ettore Sottsass jr., Aldo Rossi, Bruno Zevi, Vico Magistretti, Michele Capobianco, Pasquale Culotta) to the digital culture debut and two generations of architects passing through the international acknowledgement of Renzo Piano, Massimiliano Fuksas, Vittorio Gregotti, Aldo Rossi, Paolo Portoghesi and Franco Purini up to the growth of a vital architecture in the Italian province.

Lab Italy is the central portion of the exhibition focused on the present day, where works built in recent years provide a tangible look at high-quality new buildings in Italy and the types of research undertaken during this time. The works on show are sub-divided into 10 areas, each of which represents an emerging theme questing for new identities and solutions: Socially aware design; Life below €1000 per square metre; Re-using assets seized from organized crime; Landscape emergency; Community areas; New public areas; Rethinking the city; Archetype/Prototype; Work in progress; and Connexions.

Italy 2050 in a dialogue with Wired Italy, the renown magazine covering technology, culture, business and sciences, involve fourteen scientists, thinkers and filmmakers who in their way are building the future and share their priority bywords for Italy over the next few decades, while fourteen designers offer exclusive visions through their interpretations of the theme.
The Italy 2050 section includes a dedicated conference and workshop area. For the 3-month duration of the Biennale, the Padiglione Italia is transformed into the “Home of Italian Architecture”. On Sundays it hosts events, roundtables, and discussions touching on the liveliest and most disparate issues facing Italy today.

AILATI. Reflections from the future
Italian Pavilion, XII International Architecture Exhibition Italian,
Venice Biennale
august 29 – november 21, 2010

Main Curator
Luca Molinari

Exhibition design
Francesco Librizzi and Salottobuono in collaboration with Arian Brajcovic and Annapaola Busnardo

Graphics
Tank Boys

Light design
Mario Nanni

Scientific coordination
viapiranesi srl

Production management
Luca Poncellini

Ph.
Giorgio de Vecchi

Production, communication and partnerships
Rodex SRL

Press Office
Otto Idee e Soluzioni di Comunicazione Globale srl

Catalogue
Skira

Media partner
www.ymag.it

Exhibition sections co-curators
Amnesia. Italian Contemporary Architecture 1990-2010
Maria Vittoria Capitanucci
Collaborators
Maria Giulia Mazzari, Alessia Mendichi

Lab Italy
Michele Calzavara and Angelica Di Virgilio
Collaborator
Maria Giulia Mazzari

Italy 2050
Wired and Simona Galateo