The Republic of San Marino is a nation within a nation: with an area of 61.5 Km² and a population of 31,778 inhabitants, San Marino winds its way up Mount Titano with its historical city centre, built entirely of stone, perched on the very top. At the same time, within the confines of this small nation there is an unexpectedly rich concentration of modern and contemporary architecture that Albert Holland, curator of the San Marino pavilion at the Venice Biennale, has decided to focus on by means of a photographic survey.

The exhibition in Venice, titled "Architecture in a small country: San Marino. Nine photographers for nine architectural projects" confronts works, little known by the general public, designed by Giuseppe Vaccaro, Giovanni Michelucci, Gilberto Rossini, Giancarlo De Carlo, Gae Aulenti, Foster and Partners, Gino Zani with the photographic interpretations of Luca Andreoni, Alberto Dedè, Moreno Gentili, Stefano Graziani, Roberto Marossi, Pino Musi, Filippo Romano, Alessandro Scotti, Richard Sympson.

The architectural selection, edited by Maddalena Scimemi, was inspired by three main themes: the relationship the between built and natural environment; the relationship between architecture and social use; the function of buildings as a representation of political and economic power.

Designed by Dario Scodeller and Riccardo Varini, the exhibition is an opportunity to discover a different point of view the "Diamond" restaurant, (Giuseppe Vaccaro con Pietro Stacchini, 1947), the church of La Beata Vergine della Consolazione (Giovanni Michelucci, 1961 – 1967), the elementare school of Ca' Caccio in San Marino (Gilberto Rossini, 1966 – 72), the ancient mountain paths (Pelacchi, 1776; restoration by Gino Zani, 1925 – 41); the Cisterne del Pianello (Michele de Giohannino, 1476 – 1478); railway tunnels Rimini–San Marino, (Filippo Tajani, 1928 – 32); transformation of the cellar-stables of Villa Manzoni in banca (Giancarlo De Carlo, 1990); renovation of the Palazzo Pubblico (Francesco Azzurri, 1884 – 94; restoration by Gae Aulenti with Francesca Fenaroli, 1991 – 96); World Trade Center, (Norman Foster e Partners, 1999 – 2004).


ARCHITECTURE IN THE SMALL NATION
SAN MARINO
Nine photographers for nine architectural projects
Exhibition venue: UNESCO
Regional Bureau for Science & Culture in Europe
Palazzo Zorzi – 4930 Castello, Venice, Italy
29 August – 21 November 2010
Monday – Friday 11-17 (for hours on Saturday and Sunday, please refer to https://sanmarinobiennaleve2010.unirsmdesign.net)