The Venice Biennale’s expressive pavilions encourage ambitious installations. Architect Sverre Fehn’s Nordic Pavilion was completed in 1962 in the Giardini, representing Norway, Sweden and Finland. The building features three towering Mediterranean hackberry trees growing through the roof; broad glass sliding panels across two of its sides; and thin concrete vaults on the ceiling that flood the space with natural light.
This year, artist Lap-See Lam is leading an especially bold exhibition, placing a huge bronze dragon’s head and tail outside and filling the interior space with a floor-to-ceiling grid of bamboo poles. This commanding installation plays host to her hour-long ‘The Altersea Opera’, created with composer Tze Yeung Ho, with LED screens showing pre-recorded performances and multiple speakers throughout the space.
