Alpine Bivacco Installed on Venetian Lagoon Island for Biennale

Artist Hannes Egger has transported an alpine bivouac from the Italian-Austrian border to San Servolo island in the Venetian Lagoon as part of the 2019 Venice Biennale. The project, curated by Christiane Rekade, director of Merano Arte, features works by seven artists including Jacopo Candotti, Nicolò Degiorgis, Julia Frank, Simon Perathoner, Leander Schönweger, and Maria Walcher. Egger conceived the idea years ago during a mountain climb, building on his 2011 work that connected the Großvenediger peak to the Biennale Gardens. The bivouac serves as an alternative museum and safe space for reflection, responding to the Biennale's theme "May You Live in Interesting Times." Egger describes the structure as an "UFO"—an alien orange form that creates a disorienting encounter. Inside, visitors can scan a QR code to activate an audio-performative piece that interprets a century of history of the border region. The project also includes a hike to the original bivouac site in Valle di Vizze, artist talks, and a catalog presentation.