German Biennale Pavilion in Venice Becomes a Bone of Contention
The German pavilion in the Giardini of Venice, where the art and architecture Biennale takes place in alternating years, is currently at the center of a dispute between the German Chamber of Architects and the Federal Association of Visual Artists on one side and the Federal Ministry of Building on the other. The building, which has served as a temporary home for exhibitors from Germany during the Venice Biennale since 1909, is to be demolished and replaced with a new pavilion. With this demand, Professor Arno Sighart Schmid, president of the Chamber of Architects, set the debate about the future of the German pavilion in Venice’s Giardini in motion. The architect has since received support from Werner Schaub, chair of the Federal Association of Visual Artists, who backs the Chamber of Architects’ president. The Federal Ministry of Building, which is responsible for the German pavilion at the Venice Biennale, takes a completely different view.
Offen ist derzeit noch die Zukunft des deutschen Pavillons bei der Biennale in Venedig.
Date: 30/09/2026
The two representatives of the professional associations see the German pavilion as problematic from both a historical and an architectural perspective. The pavilion was remodeled in 1938 at the behest of the Nazis, which is evidently a major reputational issue for the architects and artists. Schaub also points to architectural shortcomings that, in his view, do not exactly make the German pavilion a standout at the Venice Biennale. Vera Moosmeyer, spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Building, counters that history cannot be undone by demolishing architectural witnesses to the past. On the contrary, historic buildings such as the German pavilion in Venice must be preserved, Moosmeyer says.
A resolution to the conflict does not appear likely anytime soon—certainly not before the next Venice Biennale opens its doors on August 29, 2010. As one of the biggest events in Venice and Italy, the Biennale brings additional tourists to the lagoon city every year. Faced with strong demand for hotels in Venice city center, visitors often opt for accommodation a little farther out, such as a hotel in Mestre. This year, the Venice Biennale is devoted to architecture, following last year’s focus on art.
Kai Rebmann
Photo: imagebank max-td
