Fertile Futures

The 18th edition of the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2023, curated by Lesley Lokko, revolved around the theme “The Laboratory of the Future,” challenging architects to look towards the African continent as a source of reflection for their practice. Portugal’s Official Representation at the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture, under the theme “Fertile Futures,” curated by Andreia Garcia and co-curated by Ana Neiva and Diogo Aguiar, focused on the common element shared by all human and non-human species — water. The management and protection of freshwater resources across the national territory led to the mapping of seven hydro-geographies, which served as case studies that guided the yearly program across three main vectors: Assemblies of Thought, Exhibition and International Summer Seminar.

The graphic identity of “Fertile Futures” also intended to be developed as a laboratory, a space for graphic and visual experimentation that evolved through different stages alongside the project's duration, adapting to the different moments of each programmatic axis. Through the act of writing, we attempted to focus on the power of orality and its visual expression, while reflecting, at the same time, on ideas of abundance and scarcity — central themes of the proposed reflection.