Henrike Naumann and Sung Tieu Shape German Pavilion at Venice Biennale
For the first time, three East German women have designed the German Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Henrike Naumann and Sung Tieu center their exhibition on the lasting consequences of German-German division. The installation features two female figures—one in an apron and headscarf, the other in camouflage pants and a cap—suspended from black ropes like marionettes along the pavilion wall. Their gestures appear combative, their gazes piercing the crowd at the opening. The soundtrack includes the raw punk sound of Telekoma from Frankfurt (Oder) and Milva's 'Ninna Nanna 1932,' a Bertolt Brecht-penned song about fear of the future amid rising Nazism.
Key facts
- Three East German women designed the German Pavilion at the Venice Biennale for the first time.
- Henrike Naumann and Sung Tieu curated the exhibition.
- The exhibition focuses on the lasting effects of German-German division.
- Two female figures are suspended from black ropes like marionettes.
- One figure wears an apron and headscarf; the other wears camouflage pants and a cap.
- The soundtrack includes Telekoma's punk song and Milva's 'Ninna Nanna 1932'.
- 'Ninna Nanna 1932' was written by Bertolt Brecht and addresses fear of rising Nazism.
- The installation is titled 'Durch die Fenster kommen zwei Frauen in den deutschen Pavillon.'
Entities
Artists
- Henrike Naumann
- Sung Tieu
- Milva
- Bertolt Brecht
- Telekoma
Institutions
- German Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
- der Freitag
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Frankfurt (Oder)
- Germany