José Pedro Croft installs six monumental sculptures for Portugal at 2017 Venice Biennale

José Pedro Croft will represent Portugal at the 2017 Venice Biennale with an ambitious outdoor installation on Giudecca at Villa Hériot's gardens. Six monumental sculptures, each eight metres tall, will feature suspended mirrors and coloured glass panes measuring 6×3 metres. The project required a full year of preparation due to its engineering complexity and scale. Croft describes the Venice Biennale as the oldest and most important biennial, calling his participation both a huge challenge and recognition of his work. Portugal lacks an official pavilion in the Giardini, which Croft says allowed him to create this ambitious project rather than being confined to interior spaces. Curator João Pinharanda is collaborating with Croft on this long-term project. The installation aims to establish relationships between viewers, surrounding architecture, and landscape while paying tribute to Venice's builders. Croft notes that all audiences—from peers to the general public—are important without hierarchies. His first Biennale visit was frustrating due to rain and accommodation issues, but subsequent visits have been enjoyable. The 2017 Venice Biennale runs from 13 May to 26 November.