The Philippine Pavilion exhibition Structures of Mutual Support explores the Filipino bayanihan and the Norwegian dugnad in an attempt to to understand the importance of infusing such traditions and strategies in contemporary time.
The Philippine Pavilion opened an exhibit that values the Filipino bayanihan and the Norweigan dugnad at the historic 17th Venice Architecture Biennale held 20 May 2021. Dubbed the Structures of Mutual support, the exhibition seeks to shape modern architecture by involving people who value the principles of mutual support, especially amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The exhibit was curated by architects Sudarshan V. Khadka and Alexander Eriksson Furunes together with 32 representatives of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farm community in Angat, Bulacan.
For architects Sudarshan and Alexander, “mutual support” means self-organization and collaboration done by communities to support each other through periods of adversity or crisis, such as the changing seasons, natural disasters, and armed conflicts. It exists in multiple forms around the world and its principles are rooted in empathy and care.
"When mutual support is required, people come together for collective work to achieve a common goal. It is a process that builds social relationships, reciprocity and community cohesion. However, these traditions are fading away in a modern-day society where the currency of wealth is measured by money rather than relationships built in a community," the curators said. "Re-evaluating and reviving mutual support traditions provides an alternative way to consider the values, resources, and knowledge that shape our built environment."
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