Belgium's original pavilion in Venice's Pubblici Giardini was designed by the Belgian architect Leon Sneyers (1877-1949) who was a supporter of the architectural and decorative elements of the Viennese Secession. He was influenced by Josef Hoffmann.
The 'house of art' was officially completed in 1908 and finally completed in 1910 when Sneyers added his 'finishing touches' to the facade.
Changes were made to the pavilion in 1929-1930, 1948 and 1997; the last by Georges Baines in order to give the building a 'modern appearance'.
Leon Sneyers' work prior to the 'house of art' included the pavilion of The Congo at the 1905 exposition in Liege. The Congo became the Belgian Congo in 1908.
The other day when I visited the pavilion I found that is was adorned with four golden flags on which the sunlight and shadows from the garden played. Each banner was decorated with a ring of twelve black stars.
The EU-blue debating chamber into which I wandered was silent and empty.
There was nothing else to see. There was no book in which to leave a comment.
I retrieved my shoes from the man on the door and quietly left the sanctum.
That says it all Gwil
ReplyDeleteBelgio, L'union fait la force. (Unity is Strength)
DeleteThat's what they say.