Serpihan Laman, our contribution to the Malaysian Pavillion "Voices" attempts to understand what our Common Ground as Malaysians might be. The design process was open to all C'arch members and was eventually refined and completed by a core team of enthusiasts. Ee Leng and Adila, our appointed ambassadors spent a week in Venice, babysitting our model, soaking up the atmosphere and sampling gelato.
Ee Leng's blog ....
24.8.12 Arrive in Venice! We check into the sweetest little 1st floor apartment above a workshop and opposite a pizzeria. The minute our handsome landlord Paolo leaves, Adila and I crash and wake up a couple hours later, hungry. It is about 10pm but a peek outside reveals that the streets are full of people. Off we go looking for food and settle on a charming little bistro. We have squid ink pasta and fizzy water seated in the narrowest of lanes and then gelato by the Rialto.
25.8.12 Head to Arsenale right after a breakfast of tramezzini and coffee. Serpihan Laman had crossed oceans with the other Malaysian models and we wanted to make sure our baby was still in one piece. And there she was, sitting pretty in the armature. The model maker had done a superb job. No need for the UHU. Phew. We spend the rest of the afternoon being tourists: Churches, photos, shopping and a water taxi ride along the Grand Canal at sunset.
26.8.12 The drizzly morning really takes us by surprise. Have to take shelter at a trattoria but the rain subsides shortly and we make it to the Arsenale in decent shape. After touching base with the Malaysian contingent, we visit the Common Ground and country exhibitions.
27.8.12 Giardini. It is difficult to describe the feeling of being up close with the pavilions we had only seen in print before. Want to visit them all but duty beckons and we have to trudge (our legs are so sakit at this point) back to the Arsenale to man the Malaysian exhibition.
28.8.12 Today is the official press preview. There is makan kecil and drinks. Everyone is in high spirits. All in all, an enjoyable time hanging out with the other Malaysian participants. Post preview, we rush back to Giardini to see a few more pavilions. Manage to squeeze in a visit to Scarpa’s Fondanzione Querini Stampalia as well.
29.8.12 Last full day in Venice. Up super early to join the queue for St Mark’s Basilica followed by a tour of the Palazzo Ducales. Next stop, Burano Island with colourful houses like children’s art. There we have a lovely leisurely seaside lunch of frito misto washed down with ice cold prosecco and gelato to seal the meal.
30.8.12 We leave for home today but there are a couple hours to spare. Before saying goodbye, we take a targhetto across the canal to the fish and produce markets for some more local flavour. And then we trace in reverse the route we took a week ago. Arrivederci bella Venezia!
