Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Support for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale

Bloomberg Connects App Will Serve as the Exclusive Free Mobile App for Visitors Off and Onsite

New York, NY – Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that it will serve as one of the headline supporters of the 18^th International Architecture Exhibition, titled The Laboratory of the Future organized by La Biennale di Venezia. Support for the exhibition curated by Lesley Lokko, the founder and director of the African Futures Institute in Accra, will enable 65 African and African Diaspora architects, urbanists, environmentalists, and social justice advocates to display their work at the Biennale Architettura 2023. This year’s edition, opening today, will focus on themes of decolonization and decarbonization and will be available to explore on Bloomberg Connects, the free mobile app.

“Art has a way of bringing people together around the most important social issues of the day – and that’s exactly what the Biennale Architettura will do,” said Patricia E. Harris, Bloomberg Philanthropies. “With Lesley Lokko’s leadership, this bold programming will show how architecture, climate change, and equity are all connected and a part of our daily lives. We’re glad to support this exhibit and bring it to more people through our Bloomberg Connects app – which will help patrons explore and experience the Biennale, either in-person or from anywhere.”

To help combat climate change, La Biennale di Venezia is promoting a more sustainable model for the design, installation, and operation of all its events. Decarbonization will be a central theme of the exhibition and the event will follow international standards and certifications to achieve carbon neutrality. Decolonization’s role in the sourcing of materials, representation in the field, and the future of architecture will also be explored in panel discussions, films, and performances throughout the exhibition.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has a long-standing history of support for international Biennales including the past events in Liverpool, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Venice. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts program utilizes innovative partnerships and bold approaches to place arts at the center of economic growth and to empower artists and cultural organizations. Support for the 18^th International Architecture Exhibition also builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies history of funding digital innovation at cultural organizations around the world.

The Bloomberg Connects app will serve as the exclusive mobile app for The Laboratory of the Future. It will include audio clips with insights from Lesley Lokko, and photos, videos, and in-depth information about the exhibition, national pavilions, and collateral events, allowing app users to enhance their in-person visit or explore featured artwork from anywhere in the world.

The official website of the Biennale Architettura 2023 is: labiennale.org. Official hashtags include: #BiennaleArchitettura2023 #TheLaboratoryOfTheFuture.

The Bloomberg Connects app is available for download from Google Play or the App Store or by scanning the QR code here: