Foundation to Commission Curator

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, [19 November 2013] – His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minster of Culture, Youth and Community Development, announced today that the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation is to assume responsibility as Commissioner for the National Pavilion of the United Arab Emirates at the 14th International Architecture Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia.

Established to endorse the UAE’s art scene on an international platform and provide opportunities for content development from the UAE, the National Pavilion’s mission is to engage in a vibrant cultural exchange. The UAE debuted in the 2009’s International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale and was the first Gulf nation to participate in the history of the Exhibition. It again made history as the first Gulf nation to obtain a permanent pavilion in the Venice Biennale by signing a long-term hospitality agreement in May 2013.

The National Pavilion of the UAE is also pleased to announce its participation for the first time in the 14th Architecture International Exhibition in la Biennale di Venezia, with Michele Bambling, appointed curator for the UAE’s exhibition during the Architecture biennale. The International Exhibition will be directed by Rem Koolhaas , and is scheduled to open on June 7, and run till November 23, 2014.

“We are pleased to appoint Michele Bambling as curator for the UAE’s first participation in the 14th Architecture International Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia. Bambling’s research on urban development in the UAE will prove to be of great value and benefit to this exhibition, in which the UAE will continue its successful journey as one of the pioneer Gulf nations in la Biennale di Venezia,” noted Sheikha Mariam bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chair of the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation.

Sheikha Mariam also added: “The UAE has always been in the center of architecture academic debate and research, being one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Thus our participation this year comes as a natural step for the country’s growing architectural and urban scene, and we are certain that our first exhibition will continue the successful legacy of the UAE’s role in la Biennale di Venezia.”

Paolo Baratta, President of the Venice Biennale commented: “We are very pleased to welcome the United Arab Emirates to its long-term space in the Arsenale, and as first time participants in the 14th Architecture International Exhibition, directed by Rem Koolhaas. The UAE is a country that plays a significant role in the contemporary world of architecture, and it’s only natural for it to be part of this important exhibition.”

t +971 (0)2 499 1953 | e [email protected] PO Box 62086, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates nationalpavilionuae.org

The Curator

Dr. Michele Bambling is Creative Director of the Lest We Forget initiative recently launched under the auspices of the National Center for Documentation and Research, the Salama Bint Hamdan Foundation and Twofour54. She received a Ph.D. from Columbia University in art history and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Bambling also taught art history and museum studies at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, where she has resided for the past six years. She has selected Adina Hemple, Architect and Professor of Interior Design at Zayed University, Dubai as Head of Research and Marco Sosa, Architect and Professor of Interior Design at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi as Head of Design for this project.

Venice Internship: The Future

The Venice Internship has opened for a new round of applicants today continuing in its fourth iteration in 2014, and will run parallel to the architecture exhibition.

The specialized training program launched in 2009 in conjunction with the National Pavilion of the UAE at the 53th International Art Exhibition, offers a range of opportunities for young Emiratis keen to engage in culture and arts at the highest international level.

The program for 2014 will offer young Emiratis the opportunity to work in one of the most-acclaimed architecture exhibitions in the world. With the increased

interest in architecture studies in local universities, and the emergence of the UAE as an architectural and urban destination, this program will satisfy a much-needed international training scheme for young architects and architecture enthusiasts around the country.

Media Requests: Mariam Al Dabbagh

[email protected] +9712 499 1953 +971558233823