Virtual Reality Application for the 17th International Architecture Exhibition Organized by La Biennale di Venezia

This paper aims to investigate the use of Virtual Reality (VR) as a support for expositions and cultural events through the presentation of a case of study related to the 17th International Architecture Exhibition organized by La Biennale di Venezia. The idea for this experimentation was born during the period of Covid-19 pandemic, in which it was impossible to travel freely. The goal was to make part of the exposition available to be visited virtually all over the world, in hubs equipped with VR headsets. Thanks to a collaboration with the organizers of the exposition, a VR app has been developed in order to allow people to visit the Giardino delle Vergini, which for several years has hosted the Italian Pavilion and where this year were placed the installations of prof. Giuseppe Fallacara and his research team together with the works of other international firms. Ethic matters have been taken into consideration during the app development. The VR app has been developed non to be a mere reproduction of the original site, but to be an alternative experience of visit. This work can bring two apparently contradictory advantages: on one hand the differences between virtuality and reality can encourage people to travel and visit the exposition in Venice; on the other hand, barriers of place and time are overcome. Therefore, everyone can visit the Giardino delle Vergini, even people who can’t move.