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Okwui Enwezor's Marxist-themed 2015 Venice Biennale confronts global politics with African diaspora focus

festival-fair · 2026-04-22

Curated by Okwui Enwezor, the 2015 Venice Biennale, themed "All the World's Futures," offered a Marxist critique through its exhibits at the Padiglione Centrale and Arsenale. Enwezor incorporated ongoing readings of Marx's texts, sparking protests from local anarchist groups. Among the significant works was Alain Arias-Misson's "Sinking of Venice." The exhibition prominently featured artists from Africa and the diaspora, including Ellen Gallagher and Chris Ofili, while Georg Baselitz unveiled new paintings. Rirkrit Tiravanija displayed workers crafting decorative bricks. The Armenian Pavilion earned the official award for "Armenity." The Australian and U.S. pavilions received acclaim, whereas France, Austria, and Italy faced criticism. Satellite events included François Pinault's "Slip of the Tongue" and showcases by Cy Twombly and Peter Doig. The Biennale continues until November 2015.

Key facts

  • Okwui Enwezor curated the 2015 Venice Biennale titled "All the World's Futures"
  • The main exhibition spanned the Padiglione Centrale in the Giardini and the Arsenale
  • A continuous reading of Karl Marx's works occurred in a space by David Adjaye
  • Local anarchist groups protested opening events, targeting the Giardini and Guggenheim
  • Alain Arias-Misson performed "Sinking of Venice" on the Grand Canal
  • The Armenian Pavilion won the official prize for "Armenity" on San Lazzaro island
  • Rirkrit Tiravanija's work involved Chinese laborers selling bricks for 20€ each
  • The Biennale closes in November 2015

Entities

Artists

  • Okwui Enwezor
  • David Adjaye
  • Alain Arias-Misson
  • Jean-Marie Straub
  • Chris Marker
  • Chantal Ackermann
  • Harun Farocki
  • Ellen Gallagher
  • Emily Kngwarreye
  • Wangechi Mutu
  • Chris Ofili
  • Georg Baselitz
  • Terry Adkins
  • Lorna Simpson
  • Rirkrit Tiravanija
  • Dora Garcia
  • Maria Eichorn
  • Adrian Ghenie
  • Fiona Hall
  • Marco Maggi
  • IC-98
  • Joan Jonas
  • François Pinault
  • Danh Vo
  • Hubert Duprat
  • Nancy Spero
  • Martial Raysse
  • Cy Twombly
  • Cagnaccio di san Pietro
  • Peter Doig
  • Charles Pollock
  • Jackson Pollock
  • Thomas Hart Benton

Institutions

  • Venice Biennale
  • Padiglione Centrale
  • Giardini
  • Arsenale
  • Guggenheim
  • Australian Pavilion
  • Uruguayan Pavilion
  • Finnish Pavilion
  • Armenian Pavilion
  • San Lazzaro
  • French Pavilion
  • Austrian Pavilion
  • Italian Pavilion
  • Dogana
  • Palazzo Grassi
  • Pompidou
  • Ca' Pesaro
  • Palazzetto Tito
  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Grand Canal
  • San Lazzaro
  • New York

Sources