Joana Vasconcelos Transforms Lisbon Ferry into Floating Pavilion for Portugal at Venice Biennale

Joana Vasconcelos represents Portugal at the Venice Biennale with a floating pavilion called Trafaria Praia, a converted Lisbon ferry boat moored at the Giardini entrance. The project connects Lisbon and Venice through their shared maritime histories and roles linking West and East. Vasconcelos describes the work as a total artwork and Noah's Ark of Portugueseness, featuring artistic interventions inside and out, plus a stage for concerts and conferences. The vessel will navigate the Venice Lagoon twice daily. This marks her first official representation of Portugal at the Biennale, though she previously exhibited there in 2005, 2007, and 2011. Her 2005 installation The Bride greeted visitors at the Arsenale entrance. Vasconcelos anticipates viewing the central exhibition and specific national pavilions including French, German, Cuban, and Spanish, the latter curated by Octavio Zaya. She also plans to see Glasstress: White Light/White Heat, a Murano glass exhibition featuring one of her pieces. The artist considers the representation both an honor and a responsibility, emphasizing her work does not target a specific audience.