Dundee’s V&A museum is to take a starring role in this year’s world-renowned Venice Biennale.
A photographic exhibition of V&A Dundee will be presented by Kengo Kuma & Associates, in collaboration with PiM.studio Architects, during the festival, which runs from May 26 to November 25 in Palazzo Bembo, Riva del Carbon, beside the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice.
The exhibition is part of Time Space Existence, organised by the European Cultural Centre with the support of the GAA Foundation.
Kengo Kuma, architect of V&A Dundee, said: “My inspiration always starts from the place where the project will be. In the past, I have visited Scotland many times. It is a very beautiful country and I’m truly in love with the Scottish landscape and nature.
“When we started this competition, the first thing I wanted to do was visit the site. I always want to do this. I would be too scared otherwise. After all, certain things can be felt there and nowhere else.
“The uniqueness of this project for us is in the position between the water and the city – it is very different from a normal site as it sits in between land and water.
“As we started thinking about the project one of my colleagues showed me a picture of the cliffs of north-eastern Scotland – it’s as if the earth and water had a long conversation and finally created this stunning shape.
“The design of V&A Dundee attempts to translate this geographical uniqueness into the building by creating an artificial cliff.
“The big idea for V&A Dundee was bringing together nature and architecture, and to create a new living room for the city.
“I hope the museum can change the city and become its centre of gravity. I am delighted and proud that this is my first building in the UK.”
V&A Dundee, in consultation with Kengo Kuma & Associates, commissioned architectural photographers Hufton+Crow to produce new images which are featured in the exhibition.
The new design museum will open on Saturday 15 September this year, unveiling Ocean Liners: Speed and Style as its first exhibition, alongside permanent Scottish Design Galleries, new design commissions and an exciting programme of activities for people of all ages.
V&A Dundee will be the first building in the UK designed by Kengo Kuma, the internationally renowned architect who is also designing the National Stadium for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
His vision is for the museum is to be a new ‘living room for the city’, welcoming everyone to visit, enjoy and socialise, and to reconnect the city with its historic River Tay waterfront.
