The core concept was to create a setting that allows visitors to engage with and empathize with previous ideas presented by the authors of previous National pavilions in a globally recognized and comfortable environment - a supermarket.
This concept aimed to respond to the theme of the Biennale, which is "The Laboratory of The Future." The Latvian Pavilion provides an archive within this laboratory, featuring over 500 ideas from national participants. The goal was to create a 70 m2 room for experimentation and provide relaxed atmosphere for shoppers. It's a pavilion where visitors can explore and reflect on the ideas presented directly at them.
By adopting this playful and entertaining concept, the Latvian Pavilion aims to reach out to visitors of the Biennale in a similar, attention craving manner to focus on the large amounts of ideas produced by the Architecture exhibition itself.
It's not intended to be didactic or educational but rather to encourage personal reflection. The pavilion aimes to remind visitors not to take themselves too seriously and offers information and inspiration.
Visitors can interact with the pavilion in several ways. They can pick their favorite exhibition from the previous ten ones by throwing a ball into an opening above. They can also choose their favorite products either in-store or on online. And most importantly, visitors can register their vote and receive a receipt at the checkout desk.
Artificial intelligence played a role in the design of the pavilion by enabling time efficiency. The designer was able to create all the products in a short period of time while maintaining a consistent stylistic approach.
While carbon emissions from such exhibitions are and will be present, the pavilion aimed to contribute to a sustainable future by emphasizing empathy towards the ideas of others and incorporating older visions into new concepts or vice versa. The pavilion itself was made out of cardboard, and shopping mall equipment was repurposed, helping to reduce material and building costs.
Latvia's participation in the Biennale Architettura 2023 is organized and supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
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