Global Dialogues at the 60th Venice Biennale
Exhibitions intricately woven into the fabric of Venice’s historic and modern spaces
Amid the grand spectacle of art, culture and dialogue that defines the 60th Venice Biennale, a series of peripheral events emerge, each offering a unique perspective on contemporary artistic expression. These events, intricately woven into the fabric of Venice’s historic and modern spaces, extend the dialogue initiated by the Biennale beyond its primary venues, inviting locals and international visitors alike into a broader exploration of global themes. From avant-garde exhibitions nestled in ancient palazzos to innovative performances that animate the city’s hidden courtyards, these events enhance the vibrancy of the Biennale. Here, artists, curators and spectators converge for conversations that challenge, inspire and redefine the boundaries of contemporary art.
Malevich.io and TCollection’s I’m Not Afraid of Ghosts
Curated by Svetlana Marich and Sarah McCrory, I’m Not Afraid of Ghosts delves into various facets of femininity. It explores the physicality of the female body, societal expectations and women’s roles, as well as delving into abstract analyses of interpersonal relationships and the typical roles women play within them. The exhibition features works by 33 artists, including Marlene Dumas, Tracey Emin, Jenny Holzer and Issy Wood. Alongside the artworks, visitors can experience an original composition by Oliver Leith, a renowned British composer whose performances include venues like the Royal Opera House and The Forge. Notably, this marks the public debut of pieces from the TCollection, entrepreneur Tatiana Fileva’s private collection, and the inaugural exhibition by the multidisciplinary platform Malevich.io in Venice.
Ben Brown Fine Arts’ Planète Lalanne
Named Planète Lalanne, this exhibition is a comprehensive display of acclaimed artistic duo Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne taking place in the historic Palazzo Rota Ivancich in Venice. Curated by Jerome Neutres, the fantastical sculptures, furniture and objets d’art are strategically positioned throughout the palazzo, engaging in an intimate dialogue with its distinctive surroundings. This placement highlights their clever functionality and surreal whimsy, transforming the location into an enchanted “Palazzo Lalanne.”
Featuring one of the largest Lalanne collections to date, it marks the first occasion such an extensive exhibition has been hosted in Italy. Among the showcased works are the most comprehensive collections of bars created by François-Xavier during his lifetime, including a Sauterelle bar—a counterpart of which is owned by the British Royal family. Additionally, visitors can admire every size iteration of Claude’s iconic Choupatte and a custom Lalanne bed, specifically commissioned for Ben Brown’s personal collection, among other rare treasures. With a history of close collaboration with Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne spanning over two decades, Ben Brown Fine Arts has previously organized exhibitions at its London and Hong Kong galleries, promoting the work of these legendary French artists to a global audience.
Sam Spratt’s “The Monument Game” Presented by 1OF1
1OF1 presents the first physical exhibition of Sam Spratt‘s work in Venice, marking a significant milestone for the digital artist. The exhibition features Spratt’s groundbreaking piece entitled “The Monument Game.” Although Spratt initially trained in classical oil painting and drew inspiration from masterworks of the Dutch and Italian Renaissance, he has since ventured into creating dynamic series in blockchain-based digital art, such as “Luci.” “The Monument Game,” as the largest expansion of “Luci,” is showcased in a large-scale, participatory format, captivating audiences in Venice. Collaborating closely with leading artists and institutions like MoMA, M+ and Serpentine Galleries, 1OF1 aims to exhibit, contextualize and support art of the digital age.
Ai Weiwei’s Neither Nor Presented by Galleria Continua San Gimignano
Named Neither Nor, the extensive exhibition by celebrated Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei currently showcases a substantial number of new pieces by the artist, and it stands as one of the first instances where such a significant collection of his Lego artworks is displayed together in a single setting. “Neither Nor” also marks the first solo exhibition by Ai Weiwei at Galleria Continua’s renowned San Gimignano location in over a decade, offering visitors an immersive experience into the practice of one of the most influential artists of our time.
Fondazione Prada’s Monte di Pietà
Fondazione Prada presents Monte di Pietà, a project by artist Christoph Büchel, at Ca’ Corner della Regina. Exploring the historical significance of the venue, once home to the Monte di Pietà of Venice, Büchel creates an immersive experience delving into the concept of debt as fundamental to human society and power dynamics. The project features a fictitious pawnshop mirroring the original layout, alongside Büchel’s work “The Diamond Maker” displaying lab-grown diamonds. Incorporating new productions and references, the project investigates the intersection of property history, finance and the creation of wealth. Additionally, Büchel explores the blurred boundaries between physical and virtual realms, engaging with cryptocurrency and online influence to challenge notions of immateriality and wealth distribution. Through this exploration, “Monte di Pietà” prompts reflection on the historical and contemporary significance of debt, finance, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Unit London’s In Praise of Black Errantry
Unit presents In Praise of Black Errantry, a collective exhibition that honors the revolutionary essence of the Black creative spirit. Drawing inspiration from Édouard Glissant, a notable French novelist and philosopher from Martinique, the exhibition embodies his concept of errantry as an expression of liberty and defiance. This idea highlights a deliberate form of wandering that transcends geographical boundaries and the confines of exile, symbolizing both escape and spontaneous adaptation. Errantry, pivotal in the development of Black modernism, has inspired the harmonic complexity of jazz, a culture of dissent and the spirit of rebellion.
Curated by Indie A. Choudhury from The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, with assistance from Kelsey Corbett of Unit, the exhibition feature the works of 19 artists from the Afro-diaspora, spanning both modern and contemporary periods, including Rachel Jones, Winston Branch, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Claudette Johnson, Stacey Gillian Abe, Hank Willis Thomas, Keith Piper, Anya Paintsil and more.
Fondazione Querini Stampalia’s Ilya and Emilia Kabakov: Between Heaven and Earth
Fondazione Querini Stampalia reactivated Joseph Kosuth’s neon installations following their detailed restoration. These installations, shaped by the artist to spell out fundamental elements like earth, air and water, engage in a dialogue with the venue’s 16th century architecture. This interplay forms a bridge between historical and modern contexts, creating a visual and linguistic interaction that encourages audiences to contemplate the function of art. “The Material of the Ornament,” a permanent piece established for the 1997 Venice Art Biennale and part of the Sarajevo 2000 project, draws inspiration from John Ruskin’s “The Stones of Venice” (1853). It acts as a visual manifesto for Querini Stampalia, symbolizing its dedication to conserving the future.
In addition the Fondazione Querini Stampalia presents a new international exhibition. Ilya and Emilia Kabakov: Between Heaven and Earth honors Ilya Kabakov’s legacy one year after his death. Curated by Chiara Bertola and in partnership with the Ilya and Emilia Kabakov Art Foundation, this exhibit pays homage to a pioneering figure in conceptual art, known for his innovative use of materials and hailed as the 20th century’s most distinguished artist born in the USSR and later a US citizen. This exhibition marks the first occasion where the Kabakovs’ significant works interact with the Fondazione’s historic environment and collections, resulting in unique site-specific pieces.
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