Zaha Hadid's Arum installation

Abstract

The present study analyzes the Arum Installation by architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) exhibited at the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale. Therefore, we divided the installation in five sections with distinct subjects, with the aim of discussing its proposals and plastic aspects, since Hadid’s work is marked by a distinctive aesthetic quality. According to its official description, the installation had as an objective to insert the Zaha Hadid Architects in a research lineage, succeeding architects from the twentieth century, pioneers in structural research; thus, a part of our research discusses in what ways the installation is succesful in exposing and reaching this objective. Finally, we point to the tension that occurs between art and architecture in Zaha’s work and carreer, parting from considerations about her paintings, exhibition designs and curatorships, and the readiness with which some of the commentators of her work call her an “artist”.