Biennale Arte 2019: labyrinths, doubles, and dystopias at the 58th Venice Biennale
The 58th Venice Biennale, under the title "May You Live in Interesting Times" and curated by Ralph Rugoff, showcases two works from each artist at both the Giardini and Arsenale venues. Notable pieces include Kaari Upson's video installation "There is no such thing outside," the photographed work "Can't help myself" by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu, Andra Ursuţa's "Divorce dump" series, Jon Rafman's "Dream journal 2016/2019," and Ed Atkins' drawings featuring a tarantula with a human head. Among the national pavilions are the Italian pavilion, criticized as a failure; the Austrian pavilion, which pays tribute to Renate Bertlmann; and the Turkish pavilion, highlighting Inci Eviner's immersive environment.
Key facts
- 58th Venice Biennale titled "May You Live in Interesting Times"
- Curated by Ralph Rugoff
- Each artist has works at both Giardini and Arsenale
- Kaari Upson's installation inspired by her mother's dollhouse
- Sun Yuan and Peng Yu's robotic arm work is most photographed
- Andra Ursuţa's ribcage trash bins address divorce
- Jon Rafman's video features a character named Xanax Girl
- Ed Atkins' drawings show himself as a tarantula with human head
- Italian pavilion curated by Milovan Farronato, deemed unsuccessful
- Austrian pavilion features Renate Bertlmann with 'Amo ergo sum' and glass roses
- Turkish pavilion presents Inci Eviner's immersive installation
Entities
Artists
- Kaari Upson
- Sun Yuan
- Peng Yu
- Andra Ursuţa
- Jon Rafman
- Ed Atkins
- Liliana Moro
- Chiara Fumai
- Enrico David
- Renate Bertlmann
- Inci Eviner
- Ralph Rugoff
- Milovan Farronato
- Pericle Guaglianone
Institutions
- Biennale di Venezia
- Padiglione Centrale
- Arsenale
- Padiglione Italia
- Tese delle Vergini
- Padiglione Austriaco
- Padiglione Turco
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- San Bernardino
- Los Angeles
- Beijing
- Jiamusi
- Salonta
- New York
- Montreal
- Oxford
- London
- Milan
- Rome
- Bari
- Ancona
- Vienna
- Ankara
- Istanbul
- Murano