FAQ about the Pavilion of the Czech and Slovak Republics in Venice
Bratislava – The Slovak National Gallery answers the most frequently asked questions regarding the pavilion of the Czech and Slovak Republics in Venice, which has been closed since 2019 due to an accident and long-term poor condition.
Who is responsible for the pavilion of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Venice?
The pavilion was divided in a federal ratio of 1:2, so Slovakia owns one third of it. There is an Agreement on the performance of "management," in which both countries agreed to use it in a 1:1 ratio. Therefore, investment costs are shared in a third ratio, while operational costs are split in half. Both countries, through their Ministries of Culture, have entrusted the management of the pavilion to their national galleries. All decisions must be made consensually.
What is the current technical condition of the pavilion?
The pavilion was completed and ceremoniously opened as Czechoslovak at the XVth Venice Biennale in 1926. It is located in a prestigious spot – one of the two main axes of the Giardini park. It's a simple building with a rectangular floor plan and a central exhibition hall. The facade features a portico made of red marble, with a massive copper gate adorned with rondocubist decoration. To this day, a simple plastic inscription Cecoslovacchia remains on the building. The architect of the pavilion is modernist Otakar Novotný (1880–1959). During its nearly century-long existence, the pavilion has not undergone any technical reconstruction, making it increasingly difficult to obtain review reports for its operation. The accident and the breaking of the skylights provided an opportunity to begin the long-delayed but necessary comprehensive reconstruction. This was also made possible due to the willingness and financial backing found at both ministries.
How is the work on repairing the pavilion progressing?
Currently, the processing of project documentation has been commissioned, which is handled by the Italian studio CandC architettura ingegneria srls. They are based on the architectural study commissioned by the National Gallery Prague from the MCA studio (doc. Ing. arch. Pavla Melková, Ph.D.; doc. Ing. arch. Miroslav Cikán). The authors of this study have a successful reconstruction of the Mánes building behind them, where they implemented a period skylight solution.
When is the expected completion date for the pavilion's renovation?
The Slovak National Gallery is currently working with an estimate that depends on the maximum deadlines for obtaining permits for construction work, which will be in 2025.
Why is it taking so long? Pavilions used to be repaired more quickly.
The management of the Venice Biennale has decided that no construction work may take place in the Giardini di Castello area during exhibitions, which presents a problem since the Architecture Biennale has already lasted as long as the visual arts one, i.e., from May to November. As a result, there is very little time left for the construction work itself. The duration of construction is also influenced by the deadlines for obtaining permits from Italian authorities, which is why NG Prague selected a local Italian designer to positively shorten these deadlines.
Why doesn't the Slovak National Gallery secure another form of presentation of Slovak art within the Venice Biennale, or an alternative, real or virtual exhibition space?
Countries without their own pavilion can also participate in the Venice Biennale and can rent a space for presentation for a fee. In Slovakia, the Slovak National Gallery is tasked in its founding document with addressing participation in the Venice Biennale only concerning the management of the Pavilion of the Czech and Slovak Republics. This means that the Slovak National Gallery does not have the financial resources or the mandate to ensure Slovakia's participation in any other way. In the current situation, the Slovak National Gallery could not accept such a mandate, as the personnel and financial capacities of the gallery are fully occupied with preparing the new premises and relocating all collection funds. Of course, another entity could be tasked with this.
To what extent and urgency do the National Gallery and Slovak National Gallery communicate regarding the pavilion's renovation and possible alternative presentations of the Czech Republic and Slovakia at the Venice Biennale?
Communication between the Slovak National Gallery and NG Prague has become collegial and operational after many years. Currently, there is a proposal for both galleries to present a joint project after the reconstruction is completed – as 2025 will mark the 99th anniversary of the joint pavilion's construction.
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| photo: Ben Markel |
Who is responsible for the pavilion of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in Venice?
The pavilion was divided in a federal ratio of 1:2, so Slovakia owns one third of it. There is an Agreement on the performance of "management," in which both countries agreed to use it in a 1:1 ratio. Therefore, investment costs are shared in a third ratio, while operational costs are split in half. Both countries, through their Ministries of Culture, have entrusted the management of the pavilion to their national galleries. All decisions must be made consensually.
What is the current technical condition of the pavilion?
The pavilion was completed and ceremoniously opened as Czechoslovak at the XVth Venice Biennale in 1926. It is located in a prestigious spot – one of the two main axes of the Giardini park. It's a simple building with a rectangular floor plan and a central exhibition hall. The facade features a portico made of red marble, with a massive copper gate adorned with rondocubist decoration. To this day, a simple plastic inscription Cecoslovacchia remains on the building. The architect of the pavilion is modernist Otakar Novotný (1880–1959). During its nearly century-long existence, the pavilion has not undergone any technical reconstruction, making it increasingly difficult to obtain review reports for its operation. The accident and the breaking of the skylights provided an opportunity to begin the long-delayed but necessary comprehensive reconstruction. This was also made possible due to the willingness and financial backing found at both ministries.
How is the work on repairing the pavilion progressing?
Currently, the processing of project documentation has been commissioned, which is handled by the Italian studio CandC architettura ingegneria srls. They are based on the architectural study commissioned by the National Gallery Prague from the MCA studio (doc. Ing. arch. Pavla Melková, Ph.D.; doc. Ing. arch. Miroslav Cikán). The authors of this study have a successful reconstruction of the Mánes building behind them, where they implemented a period skylight solution.
When is the expected completion date for the pavilion's renovation?
The Slovak National Gallery is currently working with an estimate that depends on the maximum deadlines for obtaining permits for construction work, which will be in 2025.
Why is it taking so long? Pavilions used to be repaired more quickly.
The management of the Venice Biennale has decided that no construction work may take place in the Giardini di Castello area during exhibitions, which presents a problem since the Architecture Biennale has already lasted as long as the visual arts one, i.e., from May to November. As a result, there is very little time left for the construction work itself. The duration of construction is also influenced by the deadlines for obtaining permits from Italian authorities, which is why NG Prague selected a local Italian designer to positively shorten these deadlines.
Why doesn't the Slovak National Gallery secure another form of presentation of Slovak art within the Venice Biennale, or an alternative, real or virtual exhibition space?
Countries without their own pavilion can also participate in the Venice Biennale and can rent a space for presentation for a fee. In Slovakia, the Slovak National Gallery is tasked in its founding document with addressing participation in the Venice Biennale only concerning the management of the Pavilion of the Czech and Slovak Republics. This means that the Slovak National Gallery does not have the financial resources or the mandate to ensure Slovakia's participation in any other way. In the current situation, the Slovak National Gallery could not accept such a mandate, as the personnel and financial capacities of the gallery are fully occupied with preparing the new premises and relocating all collection funds. Of course, another entity could be tasked with this.
To what extent and urgency do the National Gallery and Slovak National Gallery communicate regarding the pavilion's renovation and possible alternative presentations of the Czech Republic and Slovakia at the Venice Biennale?
Communication between the Slovak National Gallery and NG Prague has become collegial and operational after many years. Currently, there is a proposal for both galleries to present a joint project after the reconstruction is completed – as 2025 will mark the 99th anniversary of the joint pavilion's construction.
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