Berlinde De Bruyckere's City of Refuge III at San Giorgio Maggiore

The exhibition 'City of Refuge III' by Berlinde De Bruyckere has launched at Venice's Palladian Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore. Drawing inspiration from a song by Nick Cave, the showcase delves into the concept of art as a sanctuary. At the entrance, visitors encounter three archangels draped in veils, their exaggerated limbs emerging from sculptural arrangements. De Bruyckere thoughtfully arranged the pieces to interact with natural light, opting against colored drapes to foster a connection with the surroundings, which include two works by Tintoretto. Autonomous sculptures comprise the pedestals and banners, featuring one with a silver patina and another made of rusted iron. The artist initiated this project in June 2023 and the angel series in August 2023. Curated by Carmelo Grasso, Ory Dessau, and Peter Buggenhout, the exhibition reflects on current crises.