Knowledge archaeology on relations between the Venice Architecture Biennale (1980–2018) and the Pritzker Architecture Prize (1979–2019)

Abstract

This paper used a philosophy method called knowledge archaeology to identify the relations between the Venice Architecture Biennale and the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Two questions were posed: (1) “Who is speaking” in the biennale and prize, respectively? (2) Do the biennale and curating change architectural thinking? Through knowledge archaeology, the domain-specific knowledge graphs of the Venice Architecture Biennale participants and the Pritzker Architecture Prize laureates are compared from three aspects: “persons,” “words,” and “Asia.” Comparing the number, type, and nationality of exhibitors and laureates, the importance of the biennale and its influence on architectural development are confirmed. Results show that the thinking and curating of the Venice Architecture Biennale have influenced and changed who wins the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Moreover, Asian architects played increasingly important roles in the exhibition and prize process. Starting from the architectural exhibition, we can connect the entire architectural world. In other words, we may be able to “curate the whole world.”.