Venice, Italy – The Taiwan Special Exhibition, "NON-Belief: Taiwan Intelligens of Precarity," a collateral event of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, officially opened on May 8, 2025, at the historic Palazzo delle Prigioni. Responding to the Biennale's overarching theme, "Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective." curated by Carlo Ratti, Taiwan explores its unique architectural ingenuity through the lens of 'precarity,' highlighting the architectural intelligence born from vulnerability.

Led by three curators – Cheng-Luen Hsueh, Sung-Chang Leo Chiang, and Meng-Tsun Su – the Taiwan Pavilion centers around the concept of "[Non-]," presenting Taiwan's architectural culture as a dynamic entity that thrives in ambiguity, adapts amidst uncertainty, and seeks new possibilities within marginality. The title "NON-Belief" itself encapsulates the characteristic of Taiwanese architecture to respond flexibly to an ever-changing environment rather than adhering to fixed beliefs or certainties.

Architectural Imagination Blooming from the Periphery of the City

The "NON-Belief" exhibition showcases 17 innovative proposals that interpret Taiwan's architectural environment within the constantly shifting conditions of geopolitical changes, climate threats, and globalization. The concept of the 'island' lies at the heart of the exhibition design, organically integrating architecture, technology, and spiritual symbolism. The central installation, "TECH-island," visually captures the interplay between technological advancement and environmental change through a looping projection of Taiwan's diverse landscapes onto E Ink paper. This metaphorically represents Taiwan's unique identity where cutting-edge technology and the natural environment coexist.

Another noteworthy element is the "Votive Lamp Wall." This installation juxtaposes traditional religious icons with modern circuit boards and glowing microchips, creating a striking visual contrast. It reflects Taiwan's evolving spiritual traditions amidst rapid modernization, suggesting a profound dialogue between faith, technology, and cultural identity. This symbolically showcases Taiwan's present where traditional beliefs and advanced technology coexist, while also inspiring new visions for the future.

Opening a Platform for International Discourse

The influence of the Taiwan Pavilion extends beyond its physical exhibition space through a series of international forums held during the preview period. Panel discussions such as "Gown and Town," "Curating Precarity – Museum of the Future," and "Inhabiting Taiwan’s Geopolitics Through Moving Images" brought together experts from around the world to discuss the intersections of architecture, education, curatorship, and identity. This active intellectual exchange contributed to examining the real challenges faced by Taiwanese architecture within an international context and exploring future-oriented solutions.

These discussions continue with the "Navigating Precarity and Global Flux" forum and curator-led exhibition tours. The forum offers an in-depth exploration of how architecture can cope with an uncertain future, while the curator tours provide visitors with an opportunity to deeply understand the conceptual layers of the exhibition. These multifaceted communication efforts play a crucial role in sharing the innovative ideas and concerns of Taiwanese architecture with the international community and broadening the horizons of architectural discourse.

Collaboration between the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and National Cheng Kung University

The Taiwan Pavilion exhibition, hosted by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and curated by researchers from National Cheng Kung University, will continue at the Palazzo delle Prigioni until November 23, 2025. This exhibition is expected to be a significant opportunity to widely showcase the capabilities and creativity of the Taiwanese architectural community on the international stage. In particular, by exploring the theme of precarity, it holds profound significance in seeking architectural solutions to the various challenges facing modern society and presenting new possibilities.

Taiwan's Architectural Wisdom Blooming Amidst Uncertainty

The "NON-Belief" exhibition presented by Taiwan at the Venice Biennale is more than just an architectural display; it is a journey into exploring Taiwan's unique architectural intelligence in a constantly changing world. Amidst geopolitical tensions, the threat of climate change, and the rapid currents of globalization, Taiwanese architects demonstrate innovative approaches to overcoming instability and creating new possibilities. By emphasizing flexible and creative thinking that breaks away from fixed beliefs through the concept of "[Non-]," this exhibition sends an important message to modern society that must navigate an uncertain future.

The 17 architectural proposals showcased fuse diverse elements such as the urban periphery, technological advancements, and traditional beliefs to construct a unique Taiwanese architectural language. The "TECH-island" installation presents considerations for a sustainable future through the harmony of advanced technology and the natural environment, while the "Votive Lamp Wall" reveals Taiwan's multi-layered cultural identity through the coexistence of tradition and modernity, faith and technology. These works offer a glimpse into the profound reflections and innovative imagination of Taiwanese architects.

Furthermore, the various international forums held during the exhibition period facilitated in-depth discussions on architectural education, curatorship, and the role of architecture in a geopolitical context. This intellectual exchange is expected to significantly contribute to Taiwanese architecture actively communicating at the center of international discourse and exploring the direction of future architecture.

In conclusion, the "NON-Belief" exhibition at the Venice Biennale Taiwan Pavilion will serve as an important platform for showcasing Taiwan's architectural wisdom and innovative spirit, which shines even brighter amidst uncertainty, to the world. It will be a valuable opportunity to witness the dynamic power of Taiwanese architecture as it embraces instability as a source of new possibilities, flexibly adapts to an ever-changing environment, and moves towards the future.

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