One of the consequences of globalisation is that architecture is becoming increasingly homogenised; a high-rise in Shanghai could just as easily be in Mumbai or London. While numerous building cultures have evolved over the centuries, it is not so easy to identify one in Liechtenstein. Although there are a few historic buildings, the majority of the Principality's architecture was built in the past sixty years, with many international influences. Is building culture in these parts thus an accumulation of architecture defined by twentieth-century modernism or is there something unique to it?
In the exhibition Once upon a time in Liechtenstein, ten international students from the University of Liechtenstein set out in search of Liechtenstein's building culture. Their critical eye, informed by various cultures, emphasises building typologies and local peculiarities that many inhabitants of the Principality take for granted, but which in a global context may emerge to be typical of Liechtenstein.
The exhibition is the Principality of Liechtenstein's first official contribution in the form of a "Collateral Event" at the Venice Architecture Biennale in October 2014 before being shown at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
As part of the show at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, schoolgoers of all ages from Liechtenstein will be exhibiting their observations on building culture in their various communities under the title "My dream (nightmare) house".
In cooperation with Liechtenstein University.
The exhibition at the Venice Architecture Biennale is a project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture, was curated and designed by the «Architecture and Visual Culture» competence centre of Liechtenstein University, with the assistance of Kulturstiftung Liechtenstein and the support of Liechtenstein Marketing, CC Media Ltd., Wolf Druck AG, Samsung and Canon.