Venice Biennale 2011: A Sinister and Stagnant Edition
The 54th Venice Biennale, which continues until November 27, 2011, presents a diverse overview of the international art landscape. Christoph Schlingensief's posthumous exhibition earned the German Pavilion the Golden Lion. Elaine Sturtevant was honored with a lifetime achievement award, alongside acknowledgments for Darius Mikšys and Klara Lidén. Millet suggested awards for Ion Grigorescu from Romania and Denmark's 'Speech Matters' exhibition. Noteworthy pavilions include Egypt, showcasing Ahmed Basiouny's video; the US Pavilion featuring Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla; and the Chinese Pavilion with Yuan Gong's incense. Ai Weiwei was detained on April 4 and subsequently released on bail on June 22. Additional highlights come from Russia, Croatia, Bangladesh, Iraq, Belarus, Cyprus, and Taiwan, while Julian Schnabel displays work at Museo Correr.
Key facts
- 54th Venice Biennale runs until November 27, 2011.
- German Pavilion wins Golden Lion for Christoph Schlingensief's posthumous exhibition.
- Elaine Sturtevant receives lifetime achievement award.
- Special mentions to Darius Mikšys and Klara Lidén.
- Egyptian Pavilion features Ahmed Basiouny's video; artist killed by sniper on January 28, 2011.
- US Pavilion: Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla present gymnasts on treadmill on overturned tank.
- Chinese Pavilion: Yuan Gong's incense; visitors carry bags demanding Ai Weiwei's release.
- Ai Weiwei arrested April 4, 2011, released on bail June 22, 2011.
- Denmark's 'Speech Matters' exhibition features Robert Crumb, Tala Madani, Stelios Faitakis, Jan Švankmajer, Han Hoogerbrugge.
- Catherine Millet recommends Ion Grigorescu (Romania), Melanie Smith (Mexico), Adrián Villar Rojas (Argentina).
- Other notable pavilions: Russia (Andrei Monastyrski), Croatia (Tomislav Gotovac, BADco.), Bangladesh (Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty), Iraq (Halim Al Karim), Belarus (Viktar Piatrou, Artur Klinau), Cyprus (Elizabeth Hoak-Doering), Taiwan (Hsieh Chun-Te).
- Julian Schnabel exhibits at Museo Correr.
Entities
Artists
- Christoph Schlingensief
- Elaine Sturtevant
- Darius Mikšys
- Klara Lidén
- Ahmed Basiouny
- Jennifer Allora
- Guillermo Calzadilla
- Yuan Gong
- Ai Weiwei
- Ion Grigorescu
- Andrei Monastyrski
- Tomislav Gotovac
- Robert Crumb
- Tala Madani
- Stelios Faitakis
- Jan Švankmajer
- Han Hoogerbrugge
- Melanie Smith
- Adrián Villar Rojas
- Kabir Ahmed Masum Chisty
- Halim Al Karim
- Viktar Piatrou
- Artur Klinau
- Elizabeth Hoak-Doering
- Hsieh Chun-Te
- Julian Schnabel
- Catherine Millet
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- German Pavilion
- Egyptian Pavilion
- US Pavilion
- Chinese Pavilion
- Danish Pavilion
- Romanian Pavilion
- Russian Pavilion
- Croatian Pavilion
- Bangladesh Pavilion
- Iraqi Pavilion
- Belarus Pavilion
- Cyprus Pavilion
- Taiwan Pavilion
- Museo Correr
- Kunsthalle Bregenz
- BADco.
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Arsenal Novissimo
- San Stae
- Egypt
- United States
- China
- Germany
- Denmark
- Romania
- Russia
- Croatia
- Bangladesh
- Iraq
- Belarus
- Cyprus
- Taiwan
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Iran
- Lithuania
- Sweden
- Netherlands
- Greece
- Czech Republic
Sources
- artpress —