Carsten Höller installs tilted staircase at Palazzo Diedo in Venice

Carsten Höller has completed a permanent installation titled 'Doubt Staircase' at Palazzo Diedo in Venice, a 18th-century palace recently acquired by Nicolas Berggruen as the headquarters of Berggruen Arts & Culture. The spiral staircase, made of metal, Vicenza marble, and marmorino, is imperceptibly tilted by 5 degrees, creating a sense of uncertainty. It connects the first and second floors, completing an unfinished staircase. The work was inaugurated during the Venice Biennale as part of the group exhibition 'Janus,' on view until November 24, 2024. In an interview, Höller discussed his interest in doubt, verticality, and the contrast between nature and technology. He criticized human overconfidence, comparing airplanes unfavorably to birds. Höller also announced a forthcoming book, 'Carsten Höller Book of Games,' published by Taschen this autumn, featuring 350 games that require no materials. The artist, born in Brussels in 1961, holds a PhD in entomology and is known for his monumental slides and experiential works.