Architectural Foundations Gathering to Support Ukraine,
After Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022,
it is expected to cause the largest refugee crisis and armed conflict in Europe in this century.
This war mobilized people all over the world in order to put pressure on the authorities and stop armed hostilities.
Individuals, as well as institutions in the architectural field, participated in acts of solidarity,
issuing statements, condemning acts, and even stopping their work in Russia.
Where the world of architecture has condemned the violence and supports an immediate ceasefire,
and in support of Ukraine, the International Union of Architects (UIA),
the world’s leading organization of architects, has issued a letter expressing its “unwavering solidarity with all those affected and calling for unity and peace among nations”,
and that it condemns Any act of violence or war.
The organization was founded in 1948, after World War II,
to unite architects around the world and actively participate in the reconstruction of destroyed cities and villages.
Architectural Foundations Gathering to Support Ukraine
The UIA also calls for “the protection of the priceless architectural heritage threatened by this conflict.”
Whereas, MVRDV took a bold step and immediately suspended its participation in projects in Russia until further notice.
A statement about the war in Ukraine was posted on their website, explaining the decision:
“We have stopped our Russian projects,
Although this does mean we have to stop collaborating with people we have known for years,
who are dedicated to offering a more cooperative international view of Russia.
In, published, the practice of architecture shows that dual-influenced projects in Ukraine have been postponed.
E-flux, a publishing and archive platform, artist project, curatorial platform, and foundation,
also announced support for the people of Ukraine, “in their resistance to the invasion of their country by Russian forces”,
and solidarity with their colleagues working in the Ukrainian cultural sector.
The platform also condemned the violence in a very frank statement, urging readers to learn more about the conflict and act to support those affected by it.
Triennale Milano announced in a joint statement across the platforms that “war will not triumph over dialogue and interaction”,
and also confirmed the presence of the Ukrainian pavilion in its upcoming 23rd edition.
This will open at the beginning of the summer. By creating a dialogue platform with Planeta Ukrain,
the Foundation intends to promote a series of events in the pipeline.
Ukrainian and international artists, thinkers, and scientists who are committed to defending the values of freedom,
+democracy and dialogue among peoples around the world participate.
Architectural Foundations Gathering to Support Ukraine
Stefano Boeri, president of Triennale Milano,
announced that the invitation of the Russian government to participate in the international exhibition with its own pavilion had been withdrawn.
At the Venice Biennale, the curator and artists of the Russian Pavilion at the Biennale Art 2022,
Raymondas Malasauskas with Alexandra Sukhareva and Kirill Savchenkov, have resigned from their positions.
Consequently, participation in the 59th International Art Fair to be held this April has been cancelled.
Malasauskas, who was born and raised in Lithuania, when it was still part of the Soviet Union,
stated that he could not continue his work for political and humanitarian reasons.
He made it clear that the idea of returning or heading toward the subjugation of Russia or another empire was simply intolerable.
The organization expressed its solidarity with this decision,
describing it as a “courageous noble act” and stressed that
“the Biennale remains a place where people meet in art and culture and condemn all those who use violence to prevent dialogue and peace.”
Architectural Foundations Gathering to Support Ukraine
Statements and acts of solidarity denouncing the ongoing tragedy were not limited to institutions in Europe and the United States.
Indeed, Russian organizations also support Ukraine against the actions of its government and call for an immediate end to this conflict.
The Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design has suspended all work and programs indefinitely.
The institute focuses on researching cities and developing ideas for the future of the planet,
and explains that in order to have a conversation about the future, there must be peace.
“We consider it impermissible to continue business as usual in the current situation while lives are lost in Ukraine,” the statement read.
In addition, architects and urban planners in Russia are mobilizing their efforts to make their stand against the military operations in Ukraine.
Architectural Foundations Gathering to Support Ukraine
They issued an open letter stating: “We, the architects and urban planners of Russia,
find the invasion of Ukrainian lands unacceptable by Russian forces, the war devaluing the core of the architect’s activity, regardless of the country.
It violates people’s rights: “to live, the right to safety, self-realization,
a comfortable and healthy environment, and our activities are based on all these values.”
