Best and Worst of the 61st Venice Biennale: Top Picks and Pavilions Ranked

The 61st Venice Biennale showcased a blend of remarkable and underwhelming artworks in both the main exhibition and national pavilions. Topping the list was Simone Post's expansive ballroom installation, adorned with functional chandeliers crafted from candy and marshmallows, featured in the collateral event “Still Joy—from Ukraine into the World” by the PinchukArtCentre and Victor Pinchuk Foundation, situated near the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. India secured the highest rank among country pavilions, highlighted by Sumakshi Singh's silk thread cityscape and Asim Waqif's impressive bamboo structure. Finland's minimalist sculptures of silvery-gray hair, created by Jenna Sutela, earned second place. The Nordic Pavilion claimed third with playful pieces from Tori Wrånes and Klara Kristalova. Canada’s unique fountain by Abbas Akhavan ranked fourth, followed by Spain’s postcard grids by Oriol Vilanova in fifth and Serbia's personal artifacts installation by Predrag Djaković in sixth. The Japan Pavilion, featuring life-sized dolls by Ei Arakawa-Nash, faced criticism for its lack of appeal, while the US Pavilion's metal sculptures by Alma Allen were labeled dull, despite significant funding.