Hello and welcome back to artplace!
As the pre-opening events kick off in Venice today, we’re welcoming in the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale by reflecting on it’s rich history and the pivotal moments that have elevated it to become arguably the most prestigious art event in the world…
From Successful Beginnings, to World War I
Back in the inaugural year of 1895, the Venice Biennale was born out of a desire to establish a cultural event that would rival the grandeur of the Paris Salon.
Spearheaded by the Venetian council, the Biennale was initially created to showcase Italian art, with a small section reserved for foreign artists by invitation only.
The council began building a designated exhibition hall in the Giardini di Castello, also know simply as ‘the Giardini’. Upon opening in April 1895, the Biennale garnered immediate acclaim, welcoming 200,000 visitors in its first year.
In 1907, Belgium erected the first national pavilion in the grounds of the Giardini, separate from the main exhibition hall. Soon, other countries followed suit, creating their own pavilions in which to showcase homegrown talents.
The international nature of the Biennale grew, with foreign artists increasingly present. Today, the Giardini hosts 29 national pavilions from foreign countries, some of which are designed by famous architects.
The Biennale was interrupted during the First World War but resumed in 1920. The 1920 edition witnessed the debut of avant-garde art, showcasing works by Impressionists, Post-impressionists, and Die Brücke artists who had emerged in the aftermath of the war.
World War II, Picasso & Peggy
In the early 1930s, the Biennale took on the multidisciplinary character that it has to this day. In addition to the visual arts, the Biennale grew to encompass festivals showcasing top talents in Music, Cinema, and Theatre.
In 1942, Biennale activity paused due to the outbreak of the Second World War.
From 1943 to 1945, the national pavilions were repurposed as production studios for a film complex known as Cinevillaggio, developed by Mussolini loyalists.
Resuming in 1948, the Biennale played a pivotal role in the resurgence of European art, standing tall amidst the darkness of fascism by showcasing avant-garde movements such as Cubism, Futurism, and Surrealism to global audiences.
Notably, 1948 was the first year that Picasso was shown at the Biennale, following the removal of his work in 1910 due to concerns that its novelty might shock the public.
Peggy Guggenheim was invited to exhibit her famous New York collection in 1948, marking the first appearance of a new generation of American painters outside of the USA. Today, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, housed in Peggy's former residence, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, is one of the cultural treasures of modern Venice.
Post-War Boom and Embracing the New
Following the war, the 1950s and 60s saw a boom in artistic production. During this period, pivotal American born artistic movements were introduced to European audiences. Abstract Expressionism, Colour Field painting and Pop Art were all celebrated at these Biennales, stirring vast critical interest.
In 1972, the Biennale introduced an overarching theme for the first time. Since then, all successive Biennale curators have employed thematic frameworks within their exhibitions.
In 1980, the Biennale expanded to include use of the Arsenale space, formerly a naval shipyard of the Venetian Republic. Today, it hosts 24 national pavilions from foreign countries and serves as the primary venue for the curated group exhibition. Together with the 29 national pavilions in the Giardini, these spaces form the core of the Biennale's exhibition, complemented by collateral events across the city and beyond.
The Biennale celebrated its Centenary in 1995.
Since the early 2000’s, the Biennale has shone a spotlight on artists embracing new tech and digital media. In more recent years, it has championed the work of artists investigating the far-reaching capabilities of blockchain, NFTs and AI.
The Venice Biennale remains as vital and relevant as ever, continuing to push the boundaries of artistic expression while fostering dialogue and exchange among cultures. The Biennale stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire, provoke, and unite.
This years edition is titled Stranieri Ovunque (Foreigners Everywhere) and curated by Adriano Pedrosa. The title is a sentiment to the ideals of the Biennale model itself, promising to showcase art’s ability to transcend borders, with a particular focus on works by queer, outsider and indigenous artists, and the broad artistic output of the Global South.
Aside from this years official Foreigners Everywhere itinerary, there are a selection of other must-see exhibitions on view at captivating venues across the city.
Our top 5 exhibitions to see in Venice this year:
Julie Mehretu: Ensemble, March 17, 2024 – January 6, 2025, Palazzo Grassi, Venice (Pinault collection)
Works by American artist Julie Mehretu will adorn the walls of Palazzo Grassi alongside pieces by other artists including: Nairy Baghramian, Huma Bhabha, Robin Coste Lewis, Tacita Dean, David Hammons, Paul Pfeiffer and Jessica Rankin.
Pierre Huyghe: Liminal, March 17 – November 24, 2024, Punta delle Dogana, Venice (Pinault collection)
Pierre Huyghe transforms Punta della Dogana into a transitory space, inhabited by human and non-human creatures. The venue becomes the site of subjectivities that are constantly learning and their memories are expanding with information captured from events, both perceptible and imperceptible, that permeate the exhibition.
Rick Lowe: The Arch within the Arc, April 17 – November 24, 2024, Museo di Palazzo Grimani, Venice
Drawing inspiration from the Museo di Palazzo Grimani's architecture and Venice's canals, this exhibition showcases new paintings by Rick Lowe, born from his exploration of architectural arches.
Willem de Kooning e L’Italia, April 17 – September 15, 2024, Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
Willem de Kooning visited Italy in 1959 and 1969. For the first time, this exhibition delves into the influence these visits had on his artistic output in regards to works he made in Italy, but also how these visits shaped the paintings, drawings, and sculptures he created subsequently in the US.
Affinità elettive: Picasso, Matisse, Klee e Giacometti, March 24 – June 23, 2024, Gallerie dell’Accademia and Casa dei Tre Oci, Venice
Spanning two venues in Venice, this exhibition showcases over forty pieces by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee, Alberto Giacometti, and Paul Cezanne, sourced from the Museum Berggruen in Berlin. These masterpieces are juxtaposed with Venetian paintings and works on paper from the Gallerie dell’Accademia.