Claudia Fontes presents 'The Horse Problem' for Argentina at 2017 Venice Biennale

Claudia Fontes represents Argentina at the 2017 Venice Biennale with an installation titled 'The Horse Problem' in the Arsenale pavilion. The work features a bullet-time frozen scene depicting a horse, a woman, and a young man reacting to a paradoxical crisis, inspired by nineteenth-century Argentine cultural icons. Fontes views national representation as a responsibility rather than an honor, funded by public money, and critiques the notion of homogeneous national identity. She notes the Venice Biennale's unique historical role in fostering a universal narrative amid global political challenges. Argentina's permanent pavilion enables international dialogue for artists, though its impact on the domestic art scene lacks systematic study. Fontes emphasizes the need for sustainable cultural policies to ensure broader social benefits from such investments. The Biennale runs from 13 May to 26 November 2017.