Alexander Ponomarev's Antarctic Pavilion at 2015 Venice Biennale Explores Global Themes

Alexander Ponomarev represents Antarctica at the 2015 Venice Biennale, with his pavilion located at Fondaco Marcello on the Grand Canal. His exhibition draws from past adventures in Antarctica, the Sahara, and Greenland, focusing on themes like consent, concord, salvation, faith, and death. Ponomarev describes the pavilion as a ship breaking into the canal, defying traditional navigation. He and curator Nadim Samman were recognized as 2014 Leading Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy Magazine for their prior project at the Architectural Biennale, which influences his global perspective. Unlike his 2007 representation of Russia, which he found joyful, representing the 52 countries of the Antarctic Treaty poses challenges, leading him to advocate for marine life instead. The artist approaches all audiences with equal respect, though notes professionals delve deeper. His earliest Venice memories include arriving by sailboat and seeing Biennale posters at Giardini Gardens, and he later entered the Grand Canal on an artistic submarine. Ponomarev plans to visit Titian's Assunta in the Friari and explore other biennale exhibits, extending his stays in the city. He views his work as reflecting global processes like climate change, emphasizing unity and concord in response to debates over warming or ice ages.