Spanish Pavilion at 2019 Venice Biennale Pairs Two Basque Artists
At the 58th Venice Biennale, the Spanish Pavilion hosts the exhibition "Perforado por," featuring the works of Basque artists Itziar Okariz and Sergio Prego. Commissioner Peio Aguirre highlights the focus on a modern exchange between artists rather than distinguishing between established and emerging figures. The title draws inspiration from Susan Sontag's essay "The Aesthetics of Silence," and the selection was made by a committee headed by Manuel Borja Villel. Okariz showcases three projects, while Prego's work includes pneumatic sculptures that challenge architectural boundaries. Spain has been involved in the Biennale since 1895, with its pavilion designed by Javier Luque in 1922. The exhibition is organized by AECID, supported by a €400,000 investment in partnership with AC/E.
Key facts
- Spanish Pavilion at 58th Venice Biennale presents duo exhibition 'Perforado por'
- Artists: Itziar Okariz (b. 1965) and Sergio Prego (b. 1969), both from Basque Country
- Commissioner: Peio Aguirre (b. 1972), also Basque
- Project selected by committee chaired by Manuel Borja Villel, director of Museo Reina Sofia
- Title references Susan Sontag's 'The Aesthetics of Silence'
- Okariz presents three projects: 'Le statue', 'Respiración oceánica', and a video from 'Fare pipí' series
- Prego creates pneumatic sculptures using flexible materials like plastic bags
- Spain has been at Biennale since 1895; current pavilion built in 1922, facade restored in 1952
- Past Spanish exhibitors: Chillida (1958), Tàpies, Santiago Sierra (2003), Dora Garcia (2011), Lara Almarcegui (2013), Jordi Colomer (2017)
- Spain won Golden Lion for architecture in 2016 with 'Unfinished'
- Organized by AECID with €400,000 investment, in collaboration with AC/E
Entities
Artists
- Itziar Okariz
- Sergio Prego
- Peio Aguirre
- Manuel Borja Villel
- Vito Acconci
- Susan Sontag
- Javier Luque
- Joaquín Vaquero Palacios
- Chillida
- Tàpies
- Santiago Sierra
- Dora Garcia
- Lara Almarcegui
- Jordi Colomer
- Federica Lonati
Institutions
- Spanish Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
- Museo Reina Sofia
- AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spain)
- AC/E (Acción Cultural Española)
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Basque Country
- Spain
- New York
- United States
- Madrid
- San Sebastián
- Guipúzcoa
- Vizcaya
- Milano