The Danish Pavilion for the 2012 Venice Biennale will feature a collaboration between Greenlandic and Danish Architects called “Possible Greenland”. The exhibition will address the current development of the Arctic Region as Greenland undergoes a shift towards political independence and business development in the midst of dramatic climate changes. “Possible Greenland” attempts to look optimistically at the climate changes that are causing ice melts throughout Greenland. The shifting planes result in the exposure of vast mineral resources that can kickstart new industries and allow new urban cultures to emerge.
It is interesting to see how global warming is making Greeland a new center, as water around can now be navigable. But we have been warned. While 38 billions worth of oil can be exploted in the area, a disaster can cost way higher (the Deepwater Horizon spill costed 60 billion). The exhibitions approaches every angle to think about the possible future of Greenland. Visitors are exposed to all this facts in a series of diagrams, projects and videos, including a traditional Greenland house with smoked fishes which give the exhibit a particular atmosphere.
More details about this exhibition can be found in our previous article. More photos after the break:
Danish Architects are investigating Greenland due to centuries-old cultural and political ties. Greenland holds tremendous experimental potential for investigating perspectives on coming up with global solutions. The exhibit will expose the world to what Greenland has to offer through images, film and artifacts. So what is to be expected at this exhibit?
- Cultivating: Architects are mapping current debates in Greenland with the hope of initiating discussion of these topics at the Venice Biennale.
- Connecting: The exhibit will present Greenlandic Transport Commission’s recommendation to establish a transatlantic airport outside of Nuuk. The project proposes a scenario where the new airport is coupled with a new container harbor to facilitate future shipping demands when the passages north of Greenland will open. It also raises the debate of the future for the other three Greenlandic municipalities once the airport is moved to Nuuk.
- Inhabiting: The exhibit will explore arctic building practices based on traditions that link Danish and Greenlandic customs.
- Migrating: Greenland has the potential to welcome tourism, mining and mineral exploration. The exhibition will explore historic migrations and urban development as well as its potential future.
- Comparative Studies: Possible Greenland explores where Greenland fits within the context of the global agenda and how its stands out among current practices, traditions and solutions.
