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1986 Venice Biennale Embraces Modernist Optimism in Science

festival-fair · 2026-04-24

The 1986 Venice Biennale, under visual arts director Maurizio Calvesi, adopts a modernist theme emphasizing optimism and renewed confidence in science, contrasting with the conservative painting that dominated the central pavilion in 1984.

Key facts

  • Maurizio Calvesi is director of visual arts for the 1986 Venice Biennale.
  • The 1984 Biennale central pavilion featured very conservative painting.
  • Calvesi affirms belief in optimism and a return of confidence in science.
  • The 1986 Biennale adopts a modernist theme.
  • The event takes place in Venice, Italy.

Entities

Artists

  • Maurizio Calvesi

Institutions

  • Biennale di Venezia

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy

Sources