Venezuela Pavilion Closed at 2026 Venice Biennale Amid Political Crisis
The Venezuela Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Art Biennale remains closed, marked only by a trilingual sign stating it 'will soon be reborn.' The absence follows the kidnapping and imprisonment of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States, leading to a fragile pro-American interim government. Designed by architect Carlo Scarpa (1953–1956), the pavilion is located between Russia and Switzerland in the Giardini. Venezuela's participation has historically been irregular: in 2003, artist Pedro Morales was censored; in 2019, the pavilion opened months late with a group show; in 2022, it featured Palmira Correa, Mila Quast, César Várquez, and Jorge Recio; in 2024, kinetic artist Juvenal Ravelo exhibited. The current closure underscores Venezuela's ongoing political and economic instability.
Key facts
- Venezuela Pavilion is closed at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- A trilingual sign reads 'will soon be reborn.'
- President Nicolás Maduro was kidnapped and imprisoned by the US.
- A fragile pro-American interim government was established.
- The pavilion was designed by Carlo Scarpa between 1953 and 1956.
- The pavilion is located between Russia and Switzerland in the Giardini.
- In 2003, artist Pedro Morales was censored by Venezuelan authorities.
- In 2019, the pavilion opened months late with a group show.
- In 2022, artists Palmira Correa, Mila Quast, César Várquez, and Jorge Recio exhibited.
- In 2024, kinetic artist Juvenal Ravelo had a solo show.
- The closure is due to political and economic instability after US intervention.
Entities
Artists
- Carlo Scarpa
- Pedro Morales
- Natali Rocha
- Gabriel Lòpez
- Ricardo Garcia
- Nelson Rangel
- Palmira Correa
- Mila Quast
- César Várquez
- Jorge Recio
- Juvenal Ravelo
- Giulia Giaume
- Natalie Rocha Capiello
- Ricardo García
- Gabriel López
- Nelson Rangelosky
- Oscar Sottillo Meneses
- Massimiliano Tonelli
- Johanna Calle
- Juan Calzadilla
Institutions
- Biennale Arte di Venezia
- Artribune
- Università Ca' Foscari
- Gypsotheca di Possagno
- Sorbona
- Venezuela Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
- Exibart
- Gambero Rosso
- Arsenale
Locations
- Venezuela
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Russia
- Switzerland
- Arsenale
- South Africa
- Iran
- Israel
- United States
- Sendai
- Possagno
- Colombia