The national pavilions host each participant nation's official representation during the Venice Biennale, an international art biennial exhibition held in Venice, Italy. Some countries own pavilion buildings in the Giardini della Biennale while others rent buildings throughout the city, but each country controls its own selection process and production costs.
Background
The Venice Biennale is an international art biennial exhibition held in Venice, Italy. Often described as "the Olympics of the art world", participation in the Biennale is a prestigious event for contemporary artists. The festival has become a constellation of shows: a central exhibition curated by that year's artistic director, national pavilions hosted by individual nations, and independent exhibitions throughout Venice. The Biennale parent organization also hosts regular festivals in other arts: architecture, dance, film, music, and theater.[1]
Outside of the central, international exhibition, individual nations produce their own shows, known as pavilions, as their national representation. Nations that own their pavilion buildings, such as the 30 housed on the Giardini, are responsible for their own upkeep and construction costs as well. Nations without dedicated buildings create pavilions in venues throughout the city.[1]
Israeli artists first participated as the Erez Israel, Artisti Palestinesi pavilion in 1948, sponsored by wealthy Italian Jews. The country opened its official pavilion in 1950.[3] The current pavilion was designed by Ze'ev Rechter and opened in 1952 [2]The list of exhibitors in the Israeli Pavilion:
In 1901, Argentina was the first Latin American nation to participate in the Biennale. In 2011, it was granted a pavilion in the Sale d'Armi, which it will restore.[33]
The first Central Asian Pavilion was an initiative of Victor Miziano in 2005. The second pavilion was organized by Yulia Sorokina (Almaty) and the third by Beral Madra (Istanbul). Each of these was different in format and approach. The first one – Art from Central Asia. A Contemporary Archive – aimed at placing Central Asia on the 'map' of international art. Along the works of invited artists, there were many video compilations of films, performance and happenings presented by Central Asian artists from the end of the 1990s and beginning of 2000.
List of exhibitors in the Central Asia Pavilion:
2005 — Said Atabekov, Vyacheslav Akhunov & Sergey Tychina, Maksim Boronilov & Roman Maskalev, Elena Vorobyeva & Viktor Vorobyev, Kasmalieva & Djumaliev, Sergey Maslov, Almagul Menlibaeva, Erbossyn Meldibekov, Alexander Nikolaev, Rustam Khalfin & Yulia Tikhonova (Curators: Viktor Misiano, Commissioner: Churek Djamgerchinova)
2007 — Roman Maskalev, Almagul Menlibaeva & German Popov, Gulnur Mukazhanova, Alexander Nikolaev, Aleksey Rumyantsev, Alexander Ugay, Asia Animation, Said Atabekov, Vyacheslav Akhunov, Alla Girik & Oksana Shatalova, Digsys, Natalia Dyu, Zadarnovsky Brothers, Gaukhar Kiyekbayeva, Vyacheslav Useinov, Jamol Usmanov, Aytegin Muratbek Uulu, Jamshed Kholikov, ZITABL (Commissioner and curator: Yulia Sorokina)
2013 — Bouillon Group, Thea Djordjadze, Nikoloz Lutidze, Gela Patashuri with Ei Arakawa and Sergei Tcherepnin, Gio Sumbadze (Commissioner: Marine Mizandari, curator: Joanna Warsza)
2015 — Rusudan Khizanishvili, Irakli Bluishvili, Dimitri Chikvaidze, Joseph Sabia, Ia Liparteliani, Nia Mgaloblishvili, Sophio Shevardnadze (Curator: Nia Mgaloblishvili)
In 2017, Grenada participated in the Venice Biennale at an exclusive space in Zattere, Dorsoduro, all allocated for the exhibition entitled The Bridge, where international artists from nations with sea outlets explored the collective idea of "own identity".
2017 — Alexandre Murucci, Khaled Hafez, Jason de Caires Taylor, Asher Mains, Milton Williams, Rashid Al Kahlifa, Zena Assi and Mahmoud Obaidi (Curator: Omar Donia)
In 1984, as Finland had joined Norway and Sweden in the Nordic Pavilion, Iceland was given the opportunity to rent the Finnish pavilion until 2006.[47] The Icelandic Art Center commissions the Icelandic Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.[48]
List of exhibitors in the Icelandish Pavilion:[49]
In 2011, India was represented for the first time after 116 years, with the support of the culture ministry and the organizational participation of the Lalit Kala Akademi.[52] Biennale organizers had reportedly invited the country in past years, but the government had declined, a decision attributed to a lack of communication between the culture ministry and the country's National Gallery of Modern Art.[52]
In 2011, Iraq returned to the Biennale for the first time after a 35-year absence. The title of the Iraq Pavilion was "Acqua Ferita" (translated as "Wounded Water"). Six Iraqi artists from two generations interpreted the theme of water in their works, which made up the exhibition.
2013 — 'Welcome to Iraq', curated by Jonathan Watkins, commissioned by Ruya Foundation. Artists: Abdul Raheem Yassir (b. 1951), Akeel Khreef (b. 1979), Ali Samiaa (b. 1980), Bassim Al-Shaker (b. 1986), Cheeman Ismaeel (b. 1966), Furat al Jamil (b. 1965), Hareth Alhomaam (b. 1987), Jamal Penjweny (b. 1981), Kadhim Nwir (b. 1967), Yaseen Wami (b. 1973), Hashim Taeeh.[60]
2015 — 'Invisible Beauty', curated by Philippe Van Cauteren, commissioned by Ruya Foundation. Artists: Latif Al Ani, Akam Shex Hadi, Rabab Ghazoul, Salam Atta Sabri and Haider Jabbar.[61]
2019 — 'Fatherland: Serwan Baran', curated by Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo, commissioned by Ruya Foundation. Artist: Serwan Baran (b. 1968).[64][65]
"Palazzo Pro Arte": Enrico Trevisanato, façade by Marius De Maria and Bartholomeo Bezzi, 1895; new façade by Guido Cirilli, 1914; "Padiglione Italia", present façade by Duilio Torres, 1932. The pavilion has a sculpture garden by Carlo Scarpa, 1952 and the "Auditorium Pastor" by Valeriano Pastor, 1977.[47]
Partial list of exhibitors at the Italian Pavilion:
1995 — Lorenzo Bonechi, Ida Cadorin Barbarigo, Roberto Capucci, Francesco Clemente, Amalia Del Ponte, Stefano Di Stasio, Paolo Gallerani, Paola Gandolfi, Nunzio, Luigi Ontani, Claudio Parmiggiani, Gianni Pisani, Pier Luigi Pizzi, Angelo Savelli, Ruggero Savino, Ettore Spalletti, Vito Tongiani, Mino Trafeli, Giuliano Vangi (Curator: Jean Clair)
2003 — Charles Avery, Avish Khebrehzadeh, Sara Rossi, Carola Spadoni (Curators: Pio Baldi, Monica Pignatti Morano and Paolo Colombo). A12, Alessandra Ariatti, Micol Assaël, Diego Perrone, Patrick Tuttofuoco, Zimmer Frei (curator: Massimiliano Gioni)
2005 — Carolina Antich, Manfredi Beninati, Loris Cecchini, Lara Favaretto (Curators: Pio Baldi, Monica Pignatti Morano and Paolo Colombo)
2013 — Gintaras Didžiapetris, Elena Narbutaitė, Liudvikas Buklys, Kazys Varnelis, Vytautė Žilinskaitė, Morten Norbye Halvorsen, Jason Dodge, Gabriel Lester, Dexter Sinister (Curator: Raimundas Malašauskas)
The Maldives Pavilion was introduced in 2013.[81]
List of exhibitors in the Maldives Pavilion:
2013 — Mohamed Ali, Sama Alshaibi, Ursula Biemann, Stefano Cagol, Wael Darwesh, Moomin Fouad, Thierry Geoffrey (aka Colonel), Khaled Hafez, Heidrun Holzfeind & Christoph Draeger, Hanna Husberg, Laura McLean & Kalliopi Tsipni-Kolaza, Achilleas Kentonis & Maria Papacaharalambous, Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky), Gregory Niemeyer, Khaled Ramada, Oliver Ressler, Klaus Schafler, Patrizio Travagli, Wooloo (Sixten Kai Nielsen and Martin Rosengaard), (Curators CPS – Chamber of Public Secrets: Alfredo Cramerotti, Aida Eltorie, Khaled Ramadan)
Malta
The Malta Pavilion returned to the Venice Biennale in 2017.[82] They also exhibited in 2000 and 1958. List of exhibitors in the Malta Pavilion:
2017 — Adrian Abela, John Paul Azzopardi, Aaron Bezzina, Pia Borg, Gilbert Calleja, Austin Camilleri, Roxman Gatt, David Pisani, Karine Rougier, Joe Sacco, Teresa Sciberras, Darren Tanti and Maurice Tanti Burlo’ and artefacts from Heritage Malta’s National collection, Ghaqda tal-Pawlini, private collections and various archives (Curators: Raphael Vella and Bettina Hutschek)
The Pavilion of Mauritius was introduced in 2015 with an exhibition ‘From One Citizen You Gather an Idea’.
2015 — Tania Antoshina, Djuneid Dulloo, Sultana Haukim, Nirmal Hurry, Alix Le Juge, Olga Jürgenson, Helge Leiberg, Krishna Luchoomun, Bik Van Der Pol, Vitaly Pushnitsky, Römer + Römer, Kavinash Thomoo (Curators: Olga Jürgenson, Alfredo Cramerotti, Commissioner: pARTage)
2017 — Michael Lalljee, Robert Rauschenberg, SEO, Jacques Desiré, Wong So (Curator: Olga Jürgenson, Executor: Krishna Luchoomun, Commissioner: Thivynaidoo Perumal Naiken)
Mexico
The Mexican Pavilion was introduced for the first time in 1950 with the participation of the Muralists: David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and Rufino Tamayo. For this participation, David Alfaro Siqueiros was awarded the 1st prize to foreign artists. The national participation was interrupted until 2007. The exhibitors that have represented the pavilion are:
2017 — Lost in Tngri. Artists Chimeddorj Shagdarjav, Enkhtaivan Ochirbat, Munkkh - Munkhbolor Ganbold, Davaajargal Tsaschikher, Bolortuvshin Jargalsainkhan, Commissioner Munkh-Orgil Tsend, Project Director Gantuya Badamgarav, Curator Dalkh-Ochir Yondonjunai and Organizer Mongolian Contemporary Art Support Association
2019 — A Temporality. Artist Jantsankhorol Erdenebayar, with the participation of Mongolian throat singers Ashit Nergui, Damdin Khadkhuu, Undarmaa Altangerel, Davaasuren Damjin and guest artist Carsten Nicolai. Curator Gantuya Badamgarav, co-curator Carsten Nicolai, Commissioner The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia and Organizer Mongolian Contemporary Art Support Association[84]
The Republic of Namibia officially participated for the first time at the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022 with the exhibition A Bridge to the Desert curated by Marco Furio Ferrario, exhibiting the works of solo artist Renn.[86][87] Covering an area of 20 hectares, the national participation was the most extensive of its edition and one of the most extensive of the history of Biennale.[88] The exhibition included two introductory paths to the main works: a 140x2 meters wall covered with Namib desert pictures by Roland Blum (photographer) and an immersive-interactive installation titled Seek to believe by Amebe Studio.[89]
List of exhibitors in the Namibian Pavilion:
2022 — Renn (Curator: Marco Furio Ferrario; Exhibition Director & Curatorial research: Stefano Morelli; Introductory Landscape Desert Photos by Roland Blum, Seek to Believe installation by AMEBE)[90]
New Zealand
List of exhibitors in the New Zealand Pavilion:
2001 — Peter Robinson and Jacqueline Fraser (Curator: Gregory Burke)
2003 — Michael Stevenson (Curators: Robert Leonard and Boris Kremer)
List of exhibitors in the Northern Ireland Pavilion:
2005 — "The Nature of Things", group show with Patrick Bloomer, Patrick Keogh, Ian Charlesworth, Factotum, Séamus Harahan, Michael Hogg, Sandra Johnston, Mary McIntyre, Katrina Moorhead, William McKeown, Darren Murray, Aisling O'Beirn, Peter Richards and Alistair Wilson (curator: Hugh Mulholland)
The Republic of Panama officially participated for the first time at the 60th Venice Biennale in 2024 with the exhibition Traces: On the Body and on the Land curated by Ana Elizabeth González, Mónica Kupfer, and Luz Bonadies.
2011 — Group exhibition of 13 artists, including Dorothee Albrecht, Marco Bravura, Cristian Ceccaroni, Daniela Comani, Ottavio Fabbri, Verdiano Manzi, Patrizia Merendi, Omar Paolucci, Cristina Rotondaro, Lars Teichmann, Thea Tini, Daniela Tonelli, Paola Turroni
2015 — Group exhibition of 11 artists, including Xu De Qi, Liu Ruowang, Ma Yuan, Li Lei, Zhang Hong Mei, Eleonora Mazza, Giovanni Giulianelli, Giancarlo Frisoni, Tony Margiotta, Elisa Monaldi, Valentina Pazzini
2019 — Group exhibition of 12 artists including Gisella Battistini, Gabriele Gambuti, Giovanna Fra, Thea Tini, Chen Chengwei, Li Geng, Dario Ortiz, Tang Shuangning, Jens W. Beyrich, Xing Junqin, Xu de Qi, and Sebastián. Special Project by Martina Conti curated by Alessandro Castiglioni and Emma Zanella[101]
Scotland
Scotland has participated in the Biennale since 2003 as a collateral event. Scotland + Venice is a partnership between the Scottish government and various British arts organizations, including the British Council and the National Galleries of Scotland.[102]
The Seychelles Pavilion was first introduced in 2015, by the proposal of artist Nitin Shroff,[105] featuring "A Clockwork Sunset".[106] The Pavilion was commissioned by the Seychelles Art Projects Foundation and curated by Sarah J. McDonald and Victor Schaub Wong.
List of exhibitors in the Seychelles Pavilion:
2015 — George Camille, Leon Wilma Lois Radegonde
2017 — Alyssa Adams, Tristan Adams, George Camille, Christine Chetty-Payet, Zoe Chong Seng, Daniel Dodin, Charle Dodo, Allen Ernest Christine Harter, Nigel Henri, Alcide Libanotis, Marc Luc, Egbert Marday, Colbert Nourrice, Leon Radegonde, Danny Sopha (Curator: Martin Kennedy)
Singapore
List of exhibitors in the Singapore Pavilion:
2001 — Chen KeZhan, Salleh Japar, Matthew Ngui, Suzann Victor (Curators: Ahmad Mashadi and Joanna Lee)
2003 — Heman Chong, Francis Ng, Tan Swie Hian (Curator: Low Sze Wee)
In 2013, Türkiye signed a 20-year lease for a national pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The state-funded Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts is the co-ordinator of the Turkish pavilion.[120]
Despite the cost to the third world country, Tuvalu decided to develop its first national pavilion in 2013 to highlight the negative effects of global warming on the nation, which is forecast to be one of the first countries to disappear due to sea level rise caused by climate change.[125] After working closely with Taiwanese eco artist Vincent J.F. Huang at the 2012 UNFCCC COP18 session in Doha, Qatar and collaborating with the artist on several occasions, Tuvalu's government invited Huang to act as the representative artist for the pavilion.[125] All of the artworks at the 2013 Tuvalu Pavilion focused on climate change and included In the Name of Civilization, a giant oil rig turned agent of destruction, and Prisoner's Dilemma, a depiction of the Statue of Liberty kneeling in apology to ghostly portraits of terra-cotta penguins symbolic of ecological sacrifices made to further the development of human civilization.[126]
List of exhibitors for the Tuvalu Pavilion:
2013 — Vincent J.F. Huang (Curators: An-Yi Pan, Li Szuhsien, Shih Shuping)
2015 — Vincent J.F. Huang (Curator: Thomas J. Berghuis)
2015 — Yevgenia Belorusets, Nikita Kadan, Zhanna Kadyrova, Mykola Ridnyi & Serhiy Zhadan, Artem Volokitin, Anna Zvyagintseva and Open Group (Curator: Björn Geldhof)
^Maps, Arsenale See on Google (May 2, 2019). "Biennale Arte 2019 | Argentina". La Biennale di Venezia. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
^Ruya Foundation, Fatherland: Serwan Baran the Iraq Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale, April 1, 2019 [3]Archived August 8, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
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