Bulgarian Pavilion explores AI's impact on sustainability

The Bulgarian Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Biennale presents an installation called Pseudonature. This experimental project combines elements of nature and technology, exploring sustainability in today's world, where artificial intelligence and human actions significantly impact natural processes. Curated by Iassen Markov, Pseudonature features both an outdoor installation and an indoor space that reflects a reimagined traditional Bulgarian room. The outdoor area disrupts the natural order to show the complex relationship between technology and the environment. Inside, visitors find a space meant for reflection, highlighting the need for balance in our interactions with nature. A notable element of the outdoor installation is a snow-covered courtyard during summer, created by a solar-powered snow-making machine. This setup illustrates a paradox: while the sun generates energy for the snow, it also melts away that energy source as the snow builds up. This cycle raises questions about whether humans control nature or merely adapt to its unpredictable changes. Inside, the pavilion features an abstract version of the Bulgarian "odaya," a traditional living room. This space encourages dialogue about how human, natural, and artificial intelligences can work together. It includes a virtual fireplace created by AI, which highlights the artificial nature of the space. A handcrafted carpet by artist Rosie Eisor merges traditional design with digital aesthetics, symbolizing the conversation between the organic and the synthetic. The exhibition catalog, titled Radical Recipes for a Better Climate, includes contributions from architects, designers, and scientists. It offers speculative ideas about sustainable living, generated collectively with the help of artificial intelligence. This showcases how humans can evolve in their relationship with both technology and nature. The Bulgarian Pavilion is part of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale. Organized by Bulgaria's Ministry of Culture, it is located in the Sala Tiziano at the Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli. Other countries participating in the Biennale, such as Pakistan, Japan, and Chile, are also exploring themes related to climate change and the role of technology in architecture.