Anne Imhof's Golden Lion-Winning German Pavilion at 2017 Venice Biennale
Back in 2017, Anne Imhof was awarded the Golden Lion for her performance installation, "Faust," showcased at the German Pavilion during the 57th Venice Biennale. Curated by Susanne Pfeffer, the pavilion became a controlled environment encased in steel barriers, with two Dobermans standing guard. Performers like Franziska Aigner, Billy Bultheel, Emma Daniel, and others participated in four-hour action cycles, which included pushing against glass and headbanging on a suspended platform. The glass floor gave an illusion of separation. Clad in streetwear, they moved to a mix of post-romantic tunes and distorted guitars. Eliza Douglas spray-painted "NOT AGAIN" on a wall, using props like soap and golden bells, while the piece tackled issues of control and surveillance, drawing inspiration from Paul B. Preciado's Diogenes the Cynic. Visitors accessed the pavilion through side doors, with the installation elevated above the ground.
Key facts
- Anne Imhof won the Golden Lion for the German Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017.
- The work is titled 'Faust' and was curated by Susanne Pfeffer.
- Performers included Franziska Aigner, Billy Bultheel, Emma Daniel, Eliza Douglas, Josh Johnson, Frances Chiaverini, Mickey Mahar, and Lea Welsh.
- The pavilion was enclosed by steel barriers guarded by two Dobermans.
- The performance consisted of four-hour cycles of actions.
- A glass floor created a sense of separation and permeability.
- The phrase 'NOT AGAIN' was graffitied by Eliza Douglas.
- The work referenced Paul B. Preciado's concept of Diogenes the Cynic.
Entities
Artists
- Anne Imhof
- Franziska Aigner
- Billy Bultheel
- Emma Daniel
- Eliza Douglas
- Josh Johnson
- Frances Chiaverini
- Mickey Mahar
- Lea Welsh
- Susanne Pfeffer
- Paul B. Preciado
- Maria Nadotti
Institutions
- German Pavilion
- Biennale di Venezia
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy