Exhibition Period：December 8, 2011 – February 18, 2012

The theme for the biennial is rooted in the very conception of the event, which first appeared in 2005. Uniquely, this biennial exhibition features not only architecture but urbanism, which is rarely addressed in such events. The combination is immensely appropriate, as these two human activities are inseparable even if they are often treated as separate disciplines. Throughout history, they have been totally interdependent in the transformation and growth of human settlements. Hence, the theme:

Architecture creates cities.
Cities create architecture.

These simple, axiomatic statements can be made specific without losing their meaning: The Louvre creates Paris. Paris creates the Louvre. However, it is not only monumental architecture that creates cities. In the same way, the brownstone creates Manhattan and the machiya creates Kyoto, and vice versa.

The theme represents a relationship between cities and architecture that can be seen as global, especially in terms of contemporary culture. However, the Shenzhen Biennale will look at cities and architecture in the context of time as well as place. Looking at history, it is clear that every city does not continue to create architecture indefinitely. The reasons for the decline of any one city or cities and their corresponding culture – architectural and otherwise – are usually complex.

The theme represents a relationship between cities and architecture that can be seen as global, especially in terms of contemporary culture. However, the Shenzhen Biennale will look at cities and architecture in the context of time as well as place. Looking at history, it is clear that every city does not continue to create architecture indefinitely. The reasons for the decline of any one city or cities and their corresponding culture – architectural and otherwise – are usually complex.