Venice Architecture Biennale: Reality and surrealism

Murano island near sunset. (Image courtesy of Khadija Mohammad Al Mulla)

November is the final month of the Venice Architecture Biennale and hence, the inaugural exhibition in the National Pavilion of the UAE Lest We Forget: Structures of Memory in the UAE is also coming to a close. Since June, we have been running diary style blog entries from the 19 Emiratis and long-term residents of the UAE who have been spending one month living and working in Venice as part of the internship programme running throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Next up, bringing us her thoughts from the Italian city, is Khadija Mohammed Al Mulla an illustrator and design graduate.

Khadija writes:

“Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.” - Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau sums up my first thought once I stepped on my first pebble in Europe. I’m grateful that I have started with Venice since it’s so full of true European spirit that one cannot turn away from without fully absorbing its beauty and its love for detail. Although Venice may seem simple at the first glance, it is, in fact, way more complex.

As someone who is not keen on travelling, Venice was always that one place that I wished to witness and inhale its atmospheric surrealism, discovering every nook and passage with satisfactino; I was always a fan of gothic architecture due to my exposure of Victor Hugo’s writings at an early age.

Some scenes might seem a little exaggerated in my head but I’m certainly awed by the reality of it: the doors, shutters, masonry and imagery of bricks used against the walls yet some defy such pattern and go with matt texture. A clear juxtaposition can be found in Giudecca where the area is toned down and the differences in architecture face one another - some houses are renovated whilst others are kept in their original state.

The intriguing part is being able to narrate your own scenarios behind every door that has stood in its place for centuries just to find the person behind it is a and breathing the same air as yours; they’re not from any historical scenery illustrated in a page — contradicting every impression you had in mind.

When you stroll down the alleyways and the paving of the ancient city, it becomes pretty easy for a person to imagine its rich historical past with all their senses, how people manoeuvered their ways around as well, how kings, dukes, duchesses and men used to live their ordinary lives. The architects, such as Scarpa, was also very keen on maintaining the Venetian flair with a touch of contemporary uniqueness as well, this is why Venice is as inspiring as it used to be.

My favourite part of this trip was my encounters with the visitors at our National Pavilion. Many from across the world were thrilled and had so much interest and curiosity and they ranged from professors and architects to theatre performers. After every positive conversation, discussion, debate and introduction I received an energy that filled me with pride for my country, and pure delight to be able to share it with others during this fruitful experience.

* Khadija Mohammad Al Mulla is a freelancer who graduated in interior design with a flair for illustration. Her common concepts lie on the thin line between reality and surreality. Follow her on Instagram and twitter on @veniceinterns and #veniceinterns