59th Venice Biennale Opens with Historic Female Majority and Surrealist Dreamscape

The 59th Venice Biennale, which commenced on April 23, marks the first significant global exhibition since the pandemic. Curated by Cecilia Alemani, the main showcase, 'The Milk of Dreams', highlights a historic shift with more women artists than men. Notably, both Golden Lions were awarded to Black women: Sonia Boyce for her work in the British pavilion and Simone Leigh for 'The Brick House'. The exhibition's title pays homage to Leonora Carrington (1917-2011) and delves into the interplay between dreamlike imagery and technology's impact on humanity. While the exhibition has received acclaim for its quality, some critiques point to its lack of dissonance. Highlights include P. Staff's video on animal production and Ali Cherri's sculptures, while the Peruvian pavilion provocatively claims 'Peace is a corrosive promise'. The involvement of the Sámi people prompts discussions on nationalism.