A large part of the current Shenzhen Biennale is located around, and in, the Shenzhen Civic Centre. I found myself horrified by the structure that this collection of civic services, functions, municipal government  etc. is housed in. Specifically, the scale and shape of the roof felt to me like a monster from hell, a giant creature descending on the people of Shenzhen, an alien space craft not coming in peace but hovering menacingly over the people. Seldom has a building evoked such a strong emotional reaction from me.

In front of the Civic Center, you can make out Medular Pavilion designed by Maurer United Architects. Amazingly, it managed to hold it’s own, scale-wise, next to that unholy sized rooftop.

Jiakun Architects made the pavilion, With the Wind 2009, that echos the shape of the Civic Center roof using a net kept afloat in the air by balloons. A comment on the meglomaniacal character of the neighboring roof I wonder?