The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, today, Thursday 27 March, launched Ireland’s Representation at the 19th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia at the Irish Architectural Archive. Curators Cotter & Naessens Architects have been selected to represent Ireland at the prestigious event. The Department, through Culture Ireland, commissions Ireland’s representation in Venice in partnership with the Arts Council.
The Venice Architecture Biennale, which will run from 10 May to 23 November, 2025, remains the most important global platform for the exhibition of architecture involving the public, members of civil society, individuals and institutions. It offers a unique opportunity for Irish architectural practitioners to engage with international audiences
Responding to this year’s theme, ‘Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.’, selected by curator of the Biennale, Carlo Ratti, Cotter & Naessens present Assembly. Inspired by the innovative political model of the Citizens’ Assembly, the design will be a multi-sensory installation that offers visitors a soundscape to be inhabited and a space to be heard.
Minister O’Donovan said:
“I want to congratulate Cotter & Naessens it is a phenomenal achievement to be selected to represent Ireland at Venice Architecture Biennale, a place where the world’s leading artists and architects will present work. This is an opportunity to showcase the vibrant and creative nature of contemporary Irish architecture to an international audience. My Department, through Culture Ireland, commissions Ireland at Venice in partnership with the Arts Council, and it is a wonderful moment to celebrate the exceptional quality of Irish arts on a global stage. I’m wishing everyone involved the very best of luck at the Biennale this year.”
Assembly builds on the strong presence Ireland has had at the Biennale Architettura in recent years with the exhibitions In Search of Hy-Brasil (2023), Entanglement (2021) and Free Market (2018). Cotter & Naessens Architects are an architecture and design studio based in Cork City since 2001 and founded by Louise Cotter and David Naessens.
Following its presentation in Venice, Assembly will tour nationally through 2026. A film documenting the making of Assembly, which has been directed by Michelle Delea, shot by Felix Castaldo, with sound by David Stalling, will form an important part of the national tour.
The project’s curators discussed their chosen theme:
“To assemble is to gather together as a group of people with a common interest. To assemble is to construct a whole from constituent parts. As both congregation and construction, assembly is at the heart of the architectural process.”
Image – Assembly team (from left): Louise Cotter, Alan Meredith, David Stalling, Michelle Delea, David Naessens and Luke Naessens. Courtesy Cotter & Naessens. Photo: Janice O’Connell F22 Photography
