The Poetics of Reason
From October 3rd to December 2nd 2019
Opening days: October 3rd to 5th 2019
The Poetics of Reason states that, for all its subjective and non-scientific dimension, architecture does rest on reason, and its aim is to shed light onto the specificity of this reason. Indeed, the fact that architecture is grounded into reason and rationality is key to its being understandable, i.e. shareable, by everyone, and not just by architects. More than ever before, it stands as a condition to define an architecture for our contemporary ordinary condition. As a result of a massification of construction, such a condition implies that everybody is entitled to understand architecture without a specific background in the field.
Each of the five exhibitions that compose the Triennale 2019 will take up one particular aspect or dimension of this theme, in an attempt to circumscribe the stakes of architectural rationality.
Every three years, we hold a major forum for debate, discussion and dissemination that crosses geographic and disciplinary boundaries.
The first Triennale took place in 2007, under the theme Urban Voids. Chief curator José Mateus worked with a team of 23 national and international curators that presented four exhibitions, an international conference, a lounge and five competitions.
Triennale 2010, Let’s Talk About Houses, consolidated our presence in culture events dedicated to architecture. Curated by Delfim Sardo, the programme included four exhibitions, an international conference and four competitions.
Triennale 2013, Close, Closer, achieved solid international reach and recognition. Chief curator Beatrice Galilee and the curators José Esparza, Mariana Pestana and Liam Young programmed exhibitions, conferences, talks and associated projects.
Envisioned by curators André Tavares and Diogo Seixas Lopes, Triennale 2016 was entitled The Form of Form and included four exhibitions, a series of talks, seven satellites, three awards, two conferences, twelve associated projects, four publications and a group of Sidekicks.
The curatorship of Triennale 2019 was the result of an open call carried out in 2016, which outlined the team led by architect and theorist Éric Lapierre.
As a non-profit association, we research, foster and promote architectural thinking and practice. Since 2013, we have a public utility status, and, in 2010, we received the status of cultural interest by the Ministry of Culture. The current edition was granted the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Apart from organising its main event, the Triennale produces the Critical Distance conference series and Open House Lisboa, hosts events at the Sinel de Cordes Palace and gives shelter to a Creative Cluster. We also produce travelling exhibitions, such as Lisbon Acts, or carry out official representations at international architecture events.
