ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Carlos Casas's 'Bestiari' Explores Animal Intelligence at Venice Biennale

exhibition · 2026-04-26

At the 60th Venice Biennale, the Institut Ramon Llull presents 'Bestiari', a collateral event by artist Carlos Casas (born 1974 in Barcelona) at Docks Cantieri Cucchini. The exhibition draws from Anselm Turmeda's 1417 Catalan text 'La Disputa dell'Asino', which argued for animal reason and rights. Curated by Filipa Ramos, the show uses immersive technology and sound to explore ecology, animal intelligence, and humanity's relationship with nature. Casas's works include films, soundscapes, and installations that connect past and future, ancestral culture and modern humans. The exhibition echoes the Biennale's theme of 'Foreigners Everywhere' by extending the concept of 'stranger' to the natural world. Casas and Ramos prioritized sustainability: no leftover materials, no tote bags, and a recycled-paper booklet. After Venice, Ramos will curate Art Basel Basel's Film section with a program titled 'The Political Life of Plants', continuing her ecological focus.

Key facts

  • Carlos Casas's 'Bestiari' is a collateral event of the 60th Venice Biennale.
  • The exhibition is promoted by the Institut Ramon Llull at Docks Cantieri Cucchini.
  • It is inspired by Anselm Turmeda's 1417 text 'La Disputa dell'Asino'.
  • Curator Filipa Ramos collaborated with Casas based on a long friendship.
  • The show uses immersive technology and sound to address ecology and animal intelligence.
  • Casas's previous works include 'Solitude at the End of the World' and 'Cemetery'.
  • The exhibition leaves no material waste; no tote bags were produced.
  • Ramos will curate Art Basel Basel's Film section with 'The Political Life of Plants'.
  • The Biennale theme 'Foreigners Everywhere' is extended to the natural world.
  • Casas connects Turmeda's medieval text to Catalonia's natural parks.

Entities

Artists

  • Carlos Casas
  • Anselm Turmeda
  • Filipa Ramos
  • Porphyry of Tyre
  • Aristotle
  • Adriano Pedrosa

Institutions

  • Institut Ramon Llull
  • Venice Biennale
  • Docks Cantieri Cucchini
  • Art Basel Basel
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Barcelona
  • Venice
  • Catalonia
  • Tierra del Fuego
  • Montjuic Cemetery
  • Pamir
  • Krakatoa
  • Indonesia

Sources