49th Venice Biennale: A Flat Plateau of Humanity
The 49th Venice Biennale, overseen by curator Harald Szeemann, commenced on June 10 and continued until November 4, 2001, with the theme "Plateau of Humanity." Critic Catherine Millet criticized the event for its lack of depth. The exhibition catalog included a film version of Samuel Beckett's "Comédie" from 1966. Nedko Solakov's installation emphasized the absurdity inherent in large-scale exhibitions. The central pavilion displayed Rodin's "The Walking Man," a 14th-century Buddha, and a figure made from porcupine quills. Notable contributions came from Cristina García Rodero, Anri Sala, and Massimo Vitali. Richard Serra's powerful works and Pierre Huyghe's conceptual pieces were also featured. Germany received the Golden Lion for best pavilion, while Serra, Cy Twombly, and others earned individual accolades. Young artist awards went to Federico Herrero, Anri Sala, John Pilson, and A1-53167.
Key facts
- 49th Venice Biennale ran June 10 to November 4, 2001
- Curated by Harald Szeemann under theme 'Plateau of Humanity'
- Catalog opened with Samuel Beckett, featuring a 1966 film by Marin Karmitz
- Nedko Solakov's installation featured two painters endlessly covering each other's work
- Central pavilion platform displayed Rodin's 'The Walking Man', a 14th-century Buddha, and John Goba's figure
- Golden Lion for best pavilion awarded to Germany
- Golden Lions for contemporary art masters to Richard Serra and Cy Twombly
- Special prizes to Janet Cardiff & George Bures Miller, Marisa Merz, and Pierre Huyghe
Entities
Artists
- Harald Szeemann
- Samuel Beckett
- Marin Karmitz
- Nedko Solakov
- Auguste Rodin
- John Goba
- Cristina García Rodero
- Anri Sala
- Massimo Vitali
- Ingeborg Lüscher
- Urs Lüthi
- Yishai Jusidman
- Luc Tuymans
- Neo Rauch
- Richard Serra
- Janet Cardiff
- George Bures Miller
- Gregor Schneider
- Ernesto Neto
- Julije Knifer
- Pierre Huyghe
- Doris Drescher
- Mark Wallinger
- Uri Katzenstein
- Marisa Merz
- Federico Herrero
- John Pilson
- A1-53167
- Cy Twombly
- Yinka Shonibare
- Tiong Ang
- John Downey
- Catherine Millet
- Do-Ho Suh
- Robert Gober
- Oleg Kulik
- Edward Steichen
- Joseph Beuys
- Niele Toroni
- Ron Mueck
- Thomas de Kayser
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Giardini
- Canadian Pavilion
- German Pavilion
- French Pavilion
- Belgian Pavilion
- Swiss Pavilion
- Israeli Pavilion
- Luxembourg Pavilion
- Croatian Pavilion
- Fondazione Querini Stampalia
- Biennale de Lyon
- Art Press
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Milan
- Sierra Leone
- Costa Rica
- Albania
- France
- USA
- Guatemala
- Canada
- Germany
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Israel
- Luxembourg
- Croatia
- Brazil
- United Kingdom
- Korea
- United States
- Montenegro
- New York