56th Venice Biennale awards Golden Lions to Armenia, Adrian Piper, El Anatsui
The 56th Venice Biennale celebrated its winners on May 9, 2015, with Armenia awarded the prestigious Golden Lion for the best national pavilion, showcasing "Armenity: Contemporary artists from the Armenian Diaspora." Curated by Adelina Cüberyan von Fürstenberg, the pavilion was hosted at the Mekhitarist Monastery. The Golden Lion for best artist was conferred on American Adrian Piper for her engaged work in Okwui Enwezor's exhibition, "All the World's Future." Im Heung-soon received the Silver Lion for a promising young artist for "Factory Complex," while El Anatsui was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement. Special mentions recognized various artists for their contributions.
Key facts
- Awards announced on 9 May 2015
- Jury: Naomi Beckwith, Sabine Breitwieser, Mario Codognato, Ranjit Hoskote, Yongwoo Lee
- Armenia won Golden Lion for best national pavilion
- Armenian pavilion titled 'Armenity: Contemporary artists from the Armenian Diaspora'
- Curator: Adelina Cüberyan von Fürstenberg
- Venue: Mekhitarist Monastery, Island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni
- Golden Lion for best artist: Adrian Piper
- Piper's interactive piece required visitors to sign contracts for lifelong personal responsibility
- Exhibition curated by Okwui Enwezor: 'All the World's Future'
- Silver Lion for promising young artist: Im Heung-soon for 'Factory Complex' (2014–15)
- Special mention: Joan Jonas for 'They Come to Us Without a Word' at US Pavilion
- Other special mentions: Harun Farocki, Massinissa Selmani, Abounaddara collective
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement: El Anatsui
- Special Golden Lion for services to the arts: Susanne Ghez
Entities
Artists
- Adrian Piper
- Im Heung-soon
- Joan Jonas
- Harun Farocki
- Massinissa Selmani
- El Anatsui
- Susanne Ghez
- Adelina Cüberyan von Fürstenberg
- Okwui Enwezor
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Abounaddara collective
- Mekhitarist Monastery
- US Pavilion
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni
- Berlin
- Germany
- United States