Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan (ACDF) has appointed the architectural studio GRACE (Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni) as curators of the country’s National Pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Titled "Radiance as Matter," the pavilion will explore Uzbekistan’s modernist heritage, its scientific and cultural significance, and its potential for international dialogue.

The pavilion’s exhibition will focus on the Institute of Materials Science, formerly known as the Sun Helio-Complex, built in 1987 near Tashkent. One of the world's largest solar furnaces, this unique facility was designed to study material behavior under extreme temperatures and became one of the last major scientific projects of the Soviet era.

The Venice pavilion will reveal the dual nature of the complex—its monumental scale, reflecting Soviet-era ambitions, and the historical circumstances that prevented it from becoming a fully operational cutting-edge facility. The exhibition will highlight the paradoxes of the solar furnace: at once ecological and non-ecological, modernist and archaic, open and secretive, grand yet utilitarian. Frozen in time, its architecture continues to radiate a utopian aura, prompting reflections on its future.

Rather than emphasizing the site's loss of relevance, the curators aim to reframe its potential. The exhibition poses the question: how can this unique scientific complex contribute to solving today’s global challenges?

The pavilion will showcase objects and installations that capture key aspects of the Institute of Materials Science. Some pieces will be brought from Uzbekistan and adapted for display, while others are specially created for the exhibition and will later be integrated into the institute. Each element has been conceptually and functionally reinterpreted to reveal hidden meanings and possibilities. Additionally, the pavilion will feature a theatrical performance.

The project also highlights the contributions of Sadik Azimov, an Uzbek physicist and academician who dedicated his career to establishing the institute. The pavilion will feature works by writer Sukhbat Aflatuni, artists Azamat Abbasov, Esther Sheinfeld, and Mukhiddin Riskiyev, along with dialogues with scientists Odilkhuzha Parpiyev and Sultan Suleymanov.

The exhibition is part of Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI, a large-scale research project launched in 2021 to preserve Tashkent’s modernist architectural heritage. Led by ACDF and coordinated by GRACE, the initiative has brought together international experts to document and reinterpret 24 key structures in the capital.

As a result of these efforts, 21 buildings have been granted national heritage status.

The findings of the research are also reflected in two books published with ACDF’s support. The first, Tashkent Modernism XX/XXI, published by Lars Müller, presents the study’s conclusions and methodologies for preserving architectural heritage. The second, Tashkent: A Modernist Capital, will be released in November 2024 by Rizzoli New York and will feature photographs of 24 modernist buildings in Tashkent by Karel Balas.

Gayane Umerova, Chair of ACDF, emphasized: “Uzbekistan has a rich cultural heritage, and this pavilion is an important step in bringing attention to the often-overlooked legacy of Tashkent’s modernism. We aim for innovation and hope to make a meaningful contribution to the global dialogue on the future of architecture and science.”

Curators Ekaterina Golovatyuk and Giacomo Cantoni added: “It is a great honor for us to present this unique symbol of Tashkent modernism to the world. We are grateful to ACDF for the opportunity to work on this project and hope the pavilion will mark a significant step in the dialogue about the future of Uzbekistan and the world.”

The 19th Venice Architecture Biennale will take place from May 24 to November 23, 2025. Uzbekistan’s National Pavilion is expected to be one of the exhibition’s highlights, bridging the past, present, and future of architecture and science.