A mythical landscape, a fragile forest of light

“Hylozoism: an ancient belief that all matter has life”

Imagine being lured into a luminescent lattice of small transparent acrylic tiles. As you pass through this glimmering, artificial forest, branches, fronds and whiskers react – caressing, breathing and moving with you in a fascinating display of empathy.

This is the unique experience that Hylozoic Ground offers to visitors to the Canada Pavilion of the 2010 Venice Biennale in Architecture (August 29-November 21, 2010). Hylozoic Ground is the Canadian entry to this 12th edition of the Venice Biennale, the world’s most important architecture festival.

This mesmerizing marriage of art and science is brought to life by “tens of thousands of lightweight digitally-fabricated components that are fitted with microprocessors and proximity sensors that react to human presence.”

The five-year project was developed by PBAI (Philip Beesley Architect Inc.), in collaboration with the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. It was designed by Philip Beesley with collaborators Rob Gorbet (engineering director) and Rachel Armstrong (experimental chemistry  advisor). Canadians will have an opportunity to see this spectacular and moving work in a planned tour to galleries across the country in 2011.

Hylozoic Ground has earned critical acclaim from the media, including the Globe and Mail, CBC, Le Devoir, the London Times and Wired Magazine. For more reviews, visit the project website at www.hylozoicground.com.

The Canadian presentation at the Venice Biennale is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.