Claude Lévêque Represents France at 53rd Venice Biennale

Claude Lévêque represents France at the 53rd Venice Biennale, curated by Daniel Birnbaum under the theme "Fare Mundi" (Making Worlds). An interview with the artist by François Jonquet sheds light on his Venetian installation, while Christian Bernard (commissioner of the French pavilion) and Michel Nuridsany express their attachment to his mature work. The issue includes a supplement produced in partnership with Culturesfrance, the Centre national des arts plastiques, and the Délégation aux arts plastiques. Six other national representatives are highlighted: Fabrice Gygi (Switzerland), Elke Krystufek (Austria), Dado (Montenegro), Mark Lewis (Canada), Bruce Nauman (USA), and Steve McQueen (UK). In an interview with Massimiliano Gioni, Birnbaum outlines his curatorial vision. The editorial criticizes the proliferation of biennials—nearly 130 worldwide—for their predictability, lack of risk, and tendency to feature the same artists and themes. It calls for exceptional, thought-provoking exhibitions that mark their era, citing Documenta and the Lyon biennials curated by Harald Szeemann (1997) and Jean-Hubert Martin (2000) as examples. The question is posed whether this 53rd edition will deliver the long-awaited exhibition.