John Akomfrah to Represent UK at 60th Venice Biennale with Sonic Ethics Installation

John Akomfrah is set to showcase his work for the UK at the 60th Venice Biennale, taking place from 20 April to 24 November 2024. His exhibition will delve into the ethical dimensions of sound through various installations. Akomfrah describes Venice as a site of “work and occasional pleasures,” drawing inspiration from films such as Death in Venice (1971) and Don't Look Now. Having participated in the film festival since the 1990s and the art biennale since the 2000s, he considers it the most significant biennial for its global reach and visibility. He emphasizes loyalty to his projects over audience appeal and challenges the notion of national art as a singular entity. Influences for his work include Yves Tinguely and Zaha Hadid, and he anticipates the Canadian, French, and American pavilions, along with Adriano Pedrosa's main exhibition.