With less than a week until the press reviews and a 10-day countdown to the inauguration of the 2024 Biennale,the art world's spotlight converges on Adriano Pedrosa and the 332 artists poised to define the contemporary art landscape at the Giardini and the Arsenale. With a keen eye for capturing the essence of our times, Pedrosa's curated exhibition for the 60th iteration of this prestigious event is a testament to the global currents of migration and the vibrant tapestry of queer and indigenous voices.
Within the sprawling exhibition halls, viewers are greeted by a diverse array of artistic expressions, each offering a glimpse into the rich narratives that shape our world. From the sublime landscapes of Kay WalkingStick, echoing the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, to the thought-provoking works of the Brazilian collective MAHKU, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, and the evocative creations of the Māori quartet, Mata Aho Collective, indigenous cultures take center stage, challenging perceptions and inviting dialogue.
The backdrop for the work is a world rife with multifarious crises concerning the movement and existence of people across countries, nations, territories and borders, which reflect the perils and pitfalls of language, translation, nationality, expressing differences and disparities conditioned by identity, nationality, race, gender, sexuality, freedom, and wealth
Adriano Pedrosa's curatorial vision extends beyond mere representation, delving into the profound significance of amplifying indigenous voices within the Biennale. By foregrounding the artistry of marginalized communities, Pedrosa underscores the enduring resilience of indigenous peoples, reclaiming narratives often overshadowed by colonial legacies. In doing so, the exhibition becomes a platform for transformative storytelling, bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding.
Divided into two thematic sections, "Nucleo Contemporaneo" and "Nucleo Storico," Pedrosa's exhibition navigates the complexities of contemporary and historical art with nuance and depth. In the contemporary nucleus, the notion of the "foreigner" transcends geographical borders, encompassing individuals marginalized for their cultural, sexual, or social identities. Here, queer artists such as Isaac Chong Wai, Louis Fratino, Erica Rutherford, and Evelyn Taocheng Wang command attention, their works challenging conventions and reshaping the artistic landscape.
As the first openly queer curator of the Biennale, Adriano Pedrosa's pioneering spirit infuses the exhibition with a sense of urgency and authenticity. By embracing diversity in all its forms, the 2024 Biennale emerges as a beacon of inclusivity and resilience, inviting viewers to engage with art as a catalyst for change. In celebrating the foreigner, the queer, and the indigenous, Pedrosa reminds us of the power of art to transcend boundaries and unite us in our shared humanity.
The "Nucleo Storico" segment of the 2024 Biennale presents a curated selection of 20th-century artworks from Latin America, Africa, the Arab world, and Asia, spanning 1905 to 1990. Divided into portraits, abstraction, and the Italian diaspora, this section showcases the interplay between European modernism and indigenous influences. Artists like Cícero Dias, Yêdamaria, and Rómulo Rozo feature in portraits, while Eduardo Terrazas, Fanny Sanín, and Etel Adnan contribute to abstraction. The Italian diaspora is represented by Nenne Sanguineti Poggi, Gianni Bertini, and Lidy Prati. Displayed across the Central Pavilion and the Arsenale, these works prompt reflection on cultural identity and the complexities of artistic influence.
La Biennale di Venezia | 88 National Participations
Commissioner, Curator, Exhibitor, Venue
ALBANIA
Love as a glass of water Commissioner: Blendi Gonxhja, Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation; Curator: Antonio Grulli; Exhibitor: Iva Lulashi Venue: Arsenale
ARGENTINA
Ojala se derrumben las puertas
Commissioner: Mtro. Alejandra Pecoraro; Curator: Sofia Dourron; Exhibitor: Luciana Lamothe
Venue: Arsenale
ARMENIA (REPUBLIC OF)
Echo
Commissioner: Svetlana Sahakyan, Head of Modern Art Department, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia; Curator: Armen Yesayants; Exhibitor: Nina Khemchyan
Venue: Magazzino del Sale N°3, Dorsoduro 264
AUSTRALIA
kith and kin
Commissioner: Creative Australia; Curator: Ellie Buttrose; Exhibitor: Archie Moore
Venue: Giardini
AUSTRIA
Anna Jermolaewa
Commissioner: The Arts and Culture Division of the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport of Austria; Curator: Gabriele Spindler; Exhibitor: Anna Jermolaewa
Venue: Giardini
AZERBAIJAN (REPUBLIC OF)
From Caspian to Pink Planet: I Am Here
Commissioner: Ambassador Rashad Aslanov; Curators: Luca Beatrice, Amina Melikova; Exhibitors: Vusala Agharaziyeva, Rashad Alakbarov, Irina Eldarova
Venue: Campo della Tana, Castello 2126/A
BANGLADESH (PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF)
“The Contact”
Commissioner: Liaquat Ali Lucky; Curator: Viviana Vannucci; Exhibitors: Abdur Rab, Mini Karim, Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash, Shahid Kabir, Claudia De Leonardis, Anna Carla De Leonardis, Roberto Saglietto, Nataliia Revoniuk, Patrizia Casagranda, DoJoong Jo, Jiyoon Oh, Franco Marrocco, Marco Nereo Rotelli, Mirko Demattè; Venue: Spazio Espositivo Priuli Bon, San Stae, Santa Croce 1979/A
BELGIUM
Petticoat Government
Commissioner: Wallonia-Brussels Federation; Exhibitors: Denicolai & Provoost, Antoinette Jattiot, Nord and Speculoos
Venue: Giardini
BENIN (REPUBLIC OF)*
Everything Precious Is Fragile
Commissioner: José Pliya; Curator: Azu Henry Nwagbogu; Exhibitors: Chloé Quenum, Moufouli Bello, Ishola Akpo e Romuald Hazoumè
Venue: Arsenale
BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)
ABYA YALA Desde la Patria Grande
Commissioner: Juan Carlos Cordero Nina; Curator: Paola Pisanelli Nero; Exhibitors: Alexandra Bravo, Inés Fontenla, Ronald Moran,Lorgio Vaca, Humberto Velez and many others latinoamerican artists
Sede: Giardini
BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA
The Measure of the Sea
Commissioner/Curator: Marin Ivanović; Exhibitor: Stjepan Skoko
Venue: Palazzo Zorzi, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (UNESCO Venice Office), Castello 4930
BRAZIL
Ka’a Pûera: we are walking birds
Commissioner: Andrea Pinheiro, Fundação Bienal de São Paulo; Curators: Arissana Pataxó, Denilson Baniwa and Gustavo Caboco Wapichana; Exhibitors: Glicéria Tupinambá with the Tupinambá Community of Serra do Padeiro and Olivença, in Bahia, Olinda Tupinambá and Ziel Karapotó
Venue: Giardini
BULGARIA
,,The Neighbours”
Commissioner: Nadezhda Dzhakova; Curator: Vasil Vladimirov; Exhibitors: Krasimira Butseva, Julian Chehirian, Lilia Topouzova
Venue: Sala Tiziano-Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli, Fondamenta Delle Zattere Ai Gesuiti 919
CAMEROON (REPUBBLICA DEL)
Nemo propheta in patria
Commissioner: Serge Achille Ndouma; Curators: Paul Emmanuel Loga Mahop, Sandro Orlandi Stagl; Exibitors: Jean Michel Dissake, Hako Hankson, Kendji & Ollo Arts, Patrick-Joël Tatcheda Yonkeu, Guy Wouete, Angelo Accardi, Julia Bornefeld, Cesare Catania, Adélaïde Laurent-Bellue, Franco Mazzucchelli, Rex and Edna Volcan, Giorgio Tentolini, Liu Youju
Venue: Palazzo Donà delle Rose, Fondamente Nove, 5038
CANADA
Trinket
Commissioner: National Gallery of Canada; Curator: Gaëtane Verna; Exhibitor: Kapwani Kiwanga
Venue: giardini
CHILE
Cosmonación
Commissioner: Florencia Loewenthal; Curator: Andrea Pacheco González; Exhibitor: Valeria Montti Colque
Venue: Magazzino n. 42, Marina Militare, Arsenale di Venezia, Fondamenta Case Nuove 2738/C
CHINA (PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF)
Atlas: Harmony in Diversity
Commissioner: China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd.(CAEG); Curators: Wang Xiaosong, Jiang Jun; Exhibitors: Che Jianquan, Jiao Xingtao, Shi Hui, Qiu Zhenzhong, Wang Shaoqiang, Wang Zhenghong, Zhu Jinshi, project team of A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings
Venue: Arsenale
CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE)
LITHIUM
Commissioner: Joseph Ibongo Gilungula; Curators: Michele Gervasuti, James Putnam; Exhibitors: Aimé Mpane, Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, Eddy Ekete, Jean Katambayi Mukendi, Cédric Sungo, Steve Bandoma, Eléonore Hellio and Michel Ekeba of the collective Kongo Astronauts
Venue: GERVASUTI FOUNDATION - Palazzo CANOVA Calle longa Santa Caterina, Cannaregio 4998 - 5001/a
CROATIA
By the Means at Hand
Commissioner: Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia; Curator: Antonia Majaca; Exhibitor: Vlatka Horvat
Venue: Fàbrica 33 (Calle Larga dei Boteri, Cannaregio 5063)
CUBA
Curtain
Commissioner: Daneisy García Roque; Curator: Nelson Ramirez de Arellano; Exhibitor: i r o ri o ar a
Veneue: Teatro Fondamenta Nove, Cannaregio 5013
CYPRUS (REPUBLIC OF)
On a wildflower-lined gravel track off a quiet thoroughfare…
Commissioner: Louli Michaelidou; Curators/Exhibitors: FOREVER INFORMED: Peter Eramian (LLC - Lower Levant Company), Emiddio Vasquez (LLC - Lower Levant Company), Andreas Andronikou (Endrosia), Marina Ashioti (Endrosia), Niki Charalambous (Endrosia), Doris Mari Demetriadou (Endrosia), Irini Khenkin (Endrosia), Rafailia Tsiridou (Endrosia), Alexandros Xenophontos (Endrosia), Haig Aivazian
Venue: Associazione Culturale Spiazzi, Castello 3865
CZECH (REPUBLIC)
The heart of a giraffe in captivity is twelve kilos lighter
Commissioner: Michal Novotný, National Gallery of Prague; Curator: Hana Jan čková; Exhibitor: Eva Koťá ková (in o abora ion wi h Hima i Singh Soin, Davi Tapp s r, s uring Towar s Decolonial Futures and children's and older people's collectives)
Venue: Giardini
DENMARK
Rise of the Sunken Sun
Commissioner: Danish Arts Foundation; Curator: Louise Wolthers; Exhibitor: Inuuteq Storch
Venue: Giardini
EGYPT
Drama 1882 - دراما ١٨٨٢
Commissioner: Ministero della Cultura Egiziano - Accademia d'Egitto; Curator/Exhibitor: Wael Shawky
Venue: Giardini
ESTONIA
Commissioner: Maria Arusoo; Exhibitor: Edith Karlson
Venue: Chiesa delle Penitenti, Fondamenta Cannaregio 890
ETHIOPIA*
Prejudice and belonging
Commissioner: Amb. Demitu Hambisa Bonsa; Curator: Lemn Sissay OBE FRSL; Exhibitor: Tesfaye Urgessa
Venue: Palazzo Bollani, Castello 3647
FINLAND (AALTO)
The pleasures we choose
Commissioner: Raija Koli, Frame Contemporary Art Finland; Curators: Yvonne Billimore & Jussi Koitela; Exhibitors: Pia Lindman, Vidha Saumya, Jenni-Juulia Wallinheimo-Heimonen
Venue: Giardini
FRANCE
Attila cataracte ta source aux pieds des pitons verts finira dans la grande mer gouffre bleu nous noyâmes dans les larmes marées de la lune
Commissioner: Institut français on behalf of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture; Curators: Céline Kopp, Cindy Sissokho; Exhibitor: Julien Creuzet
Venue: Giardini
GEORGIA
The Art of Seeing - States of Astronomy
Commissioner: Magda Guruli; Curators: Julia Marchand, David Koroshinadze; Exhibitors: Nikoloz Koplatadze, Grigol Nodia, Juliette George, Rodrigue de Ferluc; Iliazd, Max Ernst, Ernst Wilhelm Tempel
Venue: Palazzo Palumbo Fossati, San Marco 2597
GERMANY
Thresholds
Commissioner: Ellen Strittmatter, Head of Art Department, ifa; Curator: Çağ a I k; Exhibitors: Yael Bartana, Ersan Mondtag, Michael Akstaller, Nicole L'Huillier, Robert Lippok und Jan St. Werner
Venue: Giardini and Isola della Certosa
GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
A Comparative Dialogue Act
Commissioner: Kultur | lx - Arts Council Luxembourg on behalf of the Ministry of Culture; Curator: Joel Valabrega, Mudam Luxembourg – Musé ’Ar Mo rn ran -Duc Jean; Exhibitors: Andrea Mancini and Every Island; Venue: Arsenale
GREAT BRITAIN
Listening all Night to the Rain
Commissioner: Skinder Hundal MBE Global Director of Arts at the British Council; Curator: Tarini Malik; Exhibitor: John Akomfrah
Venue: Giardini
GREECE
Ξηρόμερο/ DRYLAND
Commissioner: EΜΣΤ | Νational Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens; Katerina Gregos, artistic director; Curator: Panos Giannikopoulos; Exhibitors: Thanasis Deligiannis, Elia Kalogianni, Yorgos Kyvernitis, Yannis Michalopoulos, Fotis Sagonas, Kostas Chaikalis
Venue: Giardini
GRENADA
No Man is an Island
Commissioner: Susan Mains; Curator: Daniele Radini Tedeschi; Exhibitors: Frederika Adam, Breakfast, Jason deCaires Taylor, Antonello Diodato Guardigli (ADGART), Alma Fakhre, Suelin Low Chew Tung, Gabriele Maquignaz, Lorenzo Marini, Benaiah Matheson, The Perceptive Group, Nello Petrucci
Venue: Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Cannaregio 4118
HOLY SEE
With my eyes
Commissioner: Cardinale José Tolentino de Mendonça, Prefetto del Dicastero per la Cultura e ’E u azion a San a Sede; Curators: Chiara Parisi and Bruno Racine; Exhibitors: Maurizio Cattelan, Bintou Dembélé, Simone Fattal, Claire Fontaine, Sonia Gomes, Corita Kent, Marco Perego & Zoe Saldana, Claire Tabouret
Venue: Casa di reclusione femminile Venezia Giudecca - S. Eufemia, 712
HUNGARY
Techno Zen
Commissioner: Julia Fabényi, Director Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art, Budapest; Curator: Róna Kopeczky; Exhibitor: Márton Nemes
Venue: Giardini
ICELAND
That’s a Very Large Number — A Commerzbau
Commissioner: Auður Jörundsdóttir; Curator: Dan Byers; Exhibitor: Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir Venue: Arsenale
IRAN ( ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF)
"Of One Essence is the Human Race"
Commissioner: Mohammad Khorasanizadeh, Director General of Visual Art Office Ministry of Culture; Curator: Shoaib Hosseini Moghaddam; Exhibitor: Fatemeh Ghafourian, Zeinab Ashoori Dahanehsari, M. Saber Sheykh Rezaei, Rasool Rabiei dehnavi, Hossein Mohseni
Venue: Palazzo Malipiero, San Marco, 3198
IRELAND
ROMANTIC IRELAND
Commissioner: Culture Ireland; Curators: Sara Greavu with Project Arts Centre; Exhibitor: Eimear Walshe
Venue: Arsenale
ISRAEL
Motherland
Commissioners: Michael Gov and Arad Turgeman; Curators: Mira Lapidot and Tamar Margalit; Exhibitor: Ruth Patir
Venue: Giardini
ITALY
DUE QUI / TO HEAR
Commissioners: Angelo Piero Cappello, Direttore Generale Creatività Contemporanea, Ministero della Cultura; Curator: Luca Cerizza; Exhibitor: Massimo Bartolini
Venue: Arsenale
IVORY COAST
The Blue Note
Commissioner: Illa Ginette Donwahi; Curators: Simon Njami; Exhibitors: Jems Koko Bi,François Xavier Gbré,Sadikou Oukpedjo, Franck Abd-Bakar Fanny, Marie Claire Messouma
Venue: Centro Culturale Don Orione Artigianelli - Dorsoduro 947
JAPAN
Compose Commissioner: The Japan Foundation; Curator: Sook-Kyung Lee; Exhibitor: Yuko Mohri Venue: giardini
KAZAKHSTAN (REPUBLIC OF)
Jeru iyq: Journey Beyond the Horizon
Commissioner: Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and information; Curators: Danagul Tolepbay, Anvar Musrepov; Exhibitors: Kamil Mulashev, Saken Narynov, Yerbolat Tolepbay, Sergey Maslov, Anvar Musrepov, The2vvo
Venue: Museo Storico Navale di Venezia Riva S. Biasio Castello, 2148
KENYA
Roots of Return
Commissioner: Milka Mugo; Curator: Edward Mwaura Ndekere; Exhibitors: (TMMSAC )Elkana Ong'esa, Gerald Oroo Motondi,Robin Okeyo Mbera, John Tabule Abuya Ogao, Peter Kenyanya Oendo, Charles Duke Kombo
KOREA (REPUBLIC OF)
KOO JEONG A - ODORAMA CITIES
Commissioner: Arts Council Korea; Curators: Jacob Fabricius, Seolhui Lee; Exhibitor: Koo Jeong A
Venue: Giardini
KOSOVO (REPUBLIC OF)
The Echoing Silences of Metal and Skin
Commissioner: Hana Halilaj, National Gallery of Kosovo; Curator: Erëmirë Krasniqi; Exhibitor: Doruntina Kastrati
Venue: Museo Storico Navale della Marina Militare Riva S. Biasio, 2148,
LATVIA
O day and night, but this is wondrous strange... and therefore as a stranger give it welcome
Commissioner: Daiga Ru zā ; Curator: Adam Budak; Exhibitor: Amanda Ziemele
Venue: Arsenale
LEBANON
A Dance with her Myth
Commissioner/Curator: Nada Ghandour; Exhibitor: Mounira Al Solh
Venue: Arsenale
LITHUANIA
Inflammation
Commissioner: Arūnas ūnas; Curator: Va n inas K imašauskas, João Laia; Exhibitors: Pakui Hardware (N ringa Č rniauskai ė an Ugnius gu a) an Marija T r sė Rožanskai ė
Venue: Chiesa di Sant'Antonin, Salizada S. Antonin, 3477
MALTA
I WILL FOLLOW THE SHIP
Commissioner: Arts Council Malta; Curators: Sara Dolfi Agostini and Elyse Tonna; Exhibitor: Matthew Attard
Venue: Arsenale
MEXICO
As we marched away, we were always coming back Commissioner: Ana Catalina Valenzuela González; Curator: Tania Ragasol; Exhibitor: Erick Meyenberg Venue: Arsenale MONGOLIA Discovering the Present from the Future Commissioner: Nomin Chinbat, Minister of Culture of Mongolia; Curator: Oyuntuya Oyunjargal
Exhibitor: Ochirbold Ayurzana
Venue: Arsenale Castello 2127A, Campo della Tana
MONTENEGRO
It Takes an Island to Feel This Good
Commissioner: V a is av Šć panović; Curator: Ana Simona Z nović; Exhibitor: Darja Bajagić
Venue: Ospedaletto Complex, Castello, 6691, Barbaria delle Tole
NETHERLANDS The
The International Celebration of Blasphemy and The Sacred
Commissioner: Mondriaan Fund; Curator: Hicham Khalidi in collaboration with Renzo Martens; Exhibitors: C r ’Ar s Travai urs an a ion Congo ais (CAT C): Djonga Bismar, Alphonse Bukumba, Irène Kanga, Muyaka Kapasa, Matthieu Kasiama, Jean Kawata, Huguette Kilembi, Mbuku Kimpala, Athanas Kindendi, Felicien Kisiata, Charles Leba, Philomène Lembusa, Richard Leta, Jérémie Mabiala, Plamedi Makongote, Blaise Mandefu, Daniel Manenga, Mira Meya, Emery Muhamba, Tantine Mukundu, Olele Mulela, Daniel Muvunzi, René Ngongo, Alvers Tamasala, Ced’art Tamasala
Venue: Giardini
NIGERIA
Nigeria Imaginary Commissioner: Godwin Obaseki, Governor Edo State Government; Curator: Aindrea Emelife; Exhibitors: Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, Ndidi Dike, Onyeka Igwe, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Abraham Oghobase, Precious Okoyomon, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and Fatimah Tuggar Venue: Palazzo Canal, 3121 Rio Tera Canal, Dorsoduro
NORTH MACEDONIA (REPUBLIC OF)
“Inter Spem et Metum"
Commissioner: Dita Starova Qerimi; Curator: Ana Frangovska; Exhibitor: S avi a Jan š i va
Venue: Scuola dei Laneri, Santa Croce 131/a
NORDIC COUNTRIES (SWEDEN ,NORWAY,FINLAND)
The Altersea Opera
Commissioners: Gitte Ørskou, Moderna Museet, Leevi Haapala, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art / The Finnish National Gallery, Ruben Steinum, Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA); Curator: Asrin Haidari; Exhibitors: Lap-See Lam with Kholod Hawash and Tze Yeung Ho
Venue: Giardini
OMAN (SULTANATE OF)
Malath – Haven
Commissioner: Sayyd Saeed bin Sultan bin Yarub Al Busaidi; Curator: Alia Al Farsi; Exhibitors: Alia al Farsi, Ali al Jabri, Essa al Mufarji, Adham al Farsi, Sarah al Olaqi
Venue: Palazzo Navagero Castello 4147
PANAMA (REPUBLIC OF)***
Traces: on the body and the land Commissioner: Itzela Quirós; Curators: Ana Elizabeth Gonzalez, Monica Kupfer; Exhibitors: Brooke Alfaro, Isabel De Obaldía, Cisco Merel, Giana De Dier Venue: Spazio Castello 2131
PERU
“Cosmic Traces”
Commissioner: Armando Andrade de Lucio; Curator: Alejandro León Cannock; Exhibitor: Roberto Huarcaya
Venue: Arsenale
PHILIPPINES
Sa kabila ng tabing lamang sa panahong ito / Waiting just behind the curtain of this age
Commissioner: National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda; Curator: Carlos Quijon, Jr.; Exhibitor: Mark Salvatus
Venue: Arsenale
POLAND
Repeat after Me II
Commissioner: Bar łomi j Si nki wi z, Minis r o Cu ur an Na iona H ri ag ; Curator: Marta Czyż; Exhibitor: Open Group (Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach and Anton Varga)
Venue: Giardini
PORTUGAL
GREENHOUSE
Commissioner: Américo Rodrigues, Direção-Geral das Artes; Curators/Exhibitors: Mónica de Miranda, Sónia Vaz Borges,Vânia Gala; Venue: Palazzo Franchetti San Marco 2842
ROMANIA
WHAT WORK IS
Commissioner: Ioana Ciocan; Curator: Ciprian Mur șan; Exhibitors: Ș rban Savu an A i r Br n a;
Venue: Giardini e New Gallery of Istituto Romeno di Cultura e Ricerca Umanistica (Palazzo Correr, Campo Santa Fosca, Cannaregio 2214
SAN MARINO (REPUBLIC OF)
Nomader
Commissioner: Paolo Rondelli, Curator: Alison M. Gingeras, Exhibitor: Eddie Martinez
Venue: Fucina del futuro, Castello 5063B calle San Lorenzo
SAUDI ARABIA
Shifting Sands: A Battle Song
Commissioner: Visual Arts Commission, Ministry of Culture; Curators: Jessica Cerasi, Maya El Khalil; Exhibitors: Manal AlDowayan
Venue: Arsenale
SENEGAL ***
"Bokk - Bounds"
Commissioner: Mariéme Ba; Curator: Massamba Mbaye; Exhibitor: Alioune Diagne
Venue: Arsenale
SERBIA
Exposition Coloniale
Commissioner: Jelena Medakovic; Curator: Ks nija Sama ržija; Exhibitor: A ksan ar D nić
Venue: Giardini
SEYCHELLES (REPUBLIC OF)
PALA
Commissioner: Emmanuel D'Offay; Curator: Martin Kennedy; Exhibitor: Jude Ally, Ryan Chetty, Danielle Freakley, Juliette Zelime AKA JADEZ
Venue: Arsenale
SINGAPORE
Seeing Forest
Commissioner: LOW Eng Teong, Chief Executive Officer, National Arts Council, Singapore; Curator: Haeju KIM; Exhibitor: Robert ZHAO Renhui
Venue: Arsenale
SLOVAK (REPUBLIC)
Floating Arboretum
Commissioner: Monika Krčmárik; Curator: Lý ia ribišová; Exhibitor: Oto Hudec
Venue: Giardini
SLOVENIA (REPUBLIC OF)
Garden Secret For You
Commissioner: Martina Vovk; Curator: Vladimir Vidmar; Exhibitor: Nika Špan
Venue: Serra dei Giardini di Castello, Via Garibaldi 1254
SOUTH AFRICA (REPUBLIC OF)
Quiet Ground
Commissioner: Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, Ambassador of South Africa; Curator: Portia Malatjie; Exhibitor: MADEYOULOOK– Molemo Moiloa and Nare Mokgotho;
Venue: Arsenale
SPAIN
PINACOTECA MIGRANTE / MIGRANT ART GALLERY
Commissioner: AECID (Spanish Agency for lnternational Development Cooperation) AC/E (Acción Cultural Española); Curator: Agustin Perez Rubio; Exhibitor: Sandra Gamarra Heshiki
Venue: Giardini
SWITZERLAND
Super Superior Civilizations
Commissioner: Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia: Sandi Paucic, Rachele Giudici Legittimo; Curator: Andrea Bellini; Exhibitor: Guerreiro do Divino Amor;
Venue: Giardini
TANZANIA (THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF)*
A Flight in Reverse Mirrors
Commissioner: Leah Kihimbi, Deputy Director for Arts from the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports; Curator: Enrico Bittoto; Exhibitors: Happy Robert, Naby, Haji Chilonga e Lutengano Mwakisopile
Venue: La Fabbrica del Vedere, Calle Del Forno 3857
TIMOR-LESTE (the DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF)*
Kiss and Don't Tell
Commissioner: Jorge Soares Cristóvão, Curator: Natalie King; Exhibitor: Maria Madeira
Venue: Spazio Rava San Polo 1100
TÜRKİYE
Hollow and Broken: A State of the World
Commissioner: Istanbul Foun a ion or Cu ur an Ar s (İKSV); Exhibitor: Gülsün Karamustafa
Venue: Arsenale
UGANDA
Wan Acel | Tuli Bamu | Turibamwe | We Are One
Commissioner: Juliana Naumo Akoryo; Curator: Elizabeth Acaye Kerunen; Exhibitors: Artisan Weavers' Collective, Sana Gateja, Taga Nuwagaba, Xenson Ssenkaba, Jose Hendo, Odur Ronald
Venue: Bragora Gallery Castello 3496
UKRAINE
Net Making
Commissioner: Taras Shevchenko, Deputy Minister for European Integration; Curators: Viktoria Bavykina and Max Gorbatskyi; Exhibitors: Katya Buchatska, Andrii Dostliev, Lia Dostlieva, Daniil Revkovskyi, Andrii Rachynskyi, Oleksandr Burlaka
Venue: Arsenale
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Abdullah Al Saadi: Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia
Commissioner: Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation; Curator: Tarek Abou El Fetouh; Exhibitor: Abdullah Al Saadi
Venue: Arsenale
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me
Commissioner: Kathleen Ash-Milby, Louis Grachos, Abigail Winograd; Curators: Kathleen Ash-Milby and Abigail Winograd; Exhibitor: Jeffrey Gibson; Venue: Giardini
URUGUAY LATENT Commissioner: Facundo de Almeida; Curator: Elisa Valerio; Exhibitor: Eduardo Cardozo
Venue: Giardini
UZBEKISTAN (REPUBLIC OF)
Don't miss the cue
Commissioner: Gayane Umerova, Art and Culture Development Foundation; Curator: Center for Contemporary Art Tashkent; Exhibitors: Aziza Kadyri
Venue: Arsenale
VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
Participatory Experience. Juvenal Ravelo.
Commissioner: Reinaldo J Landaeta Diaz; Curator: Edgar Ernesto Gonzalez; Exhibitor: Juvenal Ravelo
Venue: Giardini
ZIMBABWE (REPUBLIC OF)
Undone
Commissioner: Raphael Chikukwa, National Gallery of Zimbabwe; Curator: Fadzai Veronica Muchemwa; Exhibitors: Gillian Rosselli, Kombo Chapfika, Moffat Takadiwa, Sekai Machache, Troy Makaza, Victor Nyakauru
Venue: Santa Maria della Pieta, Castello, 3701
*** New participations: Republic of Benin, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Timor Leste, United Republic of Tanzania
* Participating for the first time with their own pavilion: Republic of Panama (previously with IILA), Senegal (previously with African Countries)
April arrives with the melodious chirping of birds, stirring excitement for the summer holidays already planned, and Venice gearing up for its biennial extravaganza. Devoting just a monthly recommendation to this would be sacrilege. Instead, let's focus on a feast sweeping across Europe this month and lasting until September, offering a plethora of orgasmic exhibitions.
With less than a week until the press reviews and a 10-day countdown to the inauguration of the 2024 Biennale,the art world's spotlight converges on Adriano Pedrosa and the 332 artists poised to define the contemporary art landscape at the Giardini and the Arsenale. With a keen eye for capturing the essence of our times, Pedrosa's curated exhibition for the 60th iteration of this prestigious event is a testament to the global currents of migration and the vibrant tapestry of queer and indigenous voices.
"An artwork must resonate with me on a personal level; it's essential that I can perceive the narrative woven into every piece I consider. I listen for the artist's voice in their work, sensing the pulse of their passion. There must be that moment—a kind of heartbeat—when I first lay eyes on a piece. If that heartbeat isn’t there, if the work doesn't stir something within me, I simply can't bring myself to add it to my collection."