Italy Debuts National Pavilion at Gwangju Biennale

Italy participates for the first time in the Gwangju Biennale (14th edition, through July 9, 2023) with a national pavilion, supported by the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul. The pavilion, titled "What does water dream, when it sleeps?", aligns with the central exhibition theme "Soft and Weak Like Water" and explores post-anthropocentrism, sustainability, and transformation through the metaphor of water. Artistic director Valentina Buzzi (researcher, lecturer, art advisor, and curator based in Seoul) selected five artists: Camilla Alberti (winner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Cantica21 public competition, who completed a residency at Ansan campus), Yuval Avital, Marco Barotti, Agnes Questionmark, and Fabio Roncato. Their works range from installations and kinetic-sonic sculptures to performances, addressing themes of hybridity, ecological consciousness, and historical memory—including Roncato's "Follow Me" (2023), inspired by the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The pavilion aims to present a contemporary image of Italian art beyond Renaissance stereotypes, fostering dialogue between local and universal perspectives. Buzzi emphasizes the role of art in envisioning alternative futures and the growing collaboration between artists and scientists.