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Wendelien van Oldenborgh's Cinema Olanda reimagines Dutch identity at 2017 Venice Biennale

exhibition · 2026-04-20

At the 2017 Venice Biennale, Wendelien van Oldenborgh showcases her project Cinema Olanda in the Dutch Pavilion, representing The Netherlands. This installation draws inspiration from Gerrit Rietveld's design and features three new films that delve into the connections between viewers and concepts of time, space, and the body. It emphasizes the cultural lives of non-white communities in the Netherlands from the twentieth century to today. Curator Lucy Cotter collaborates with van Oldenborgh to question the notion of a homogeneous Dutch identity prevalent since the 1950s. Additionally, a parallel program will take place at various cultural venues throughout the Netherlands. The Biennale is scheduled from May 13 to November 26, 2017.

Key facts

  • Wendelien van Oldenborgh represents The Netherlands at the 2017 Venice Biennale
  • Her project Cinema Olanda is installed in the Dutch Pavilion in the Giardini
  • The exhibition features three new film works with architectural installation elements
  • Works highlight the Netherlands' non-white communities and their twentieth-century cultural presence
  • Van Oldenborgh collaborates with curator Lucy Cotter
  • The 1950s serve as a reference point for examining contemporary Dutch identity
  • An extensive parallel program runs concurrently in the Netherlands
  • The 2017 Venice Biennale dates are May 13 to November 26

Entities

Artists

  • Wendelien van Oldenborgh
  • Gerrit Rietveld
  • Lucy Cotter
  • Jesse Jones
  • Adelita Husni-Bey
  • Jordi Colomer
  • Sung Hwan Kim
  • Christine Macel
  • Christian Nyampeta

Institutions

  • ArtReview
  • Venice Biennale
  • Dutch Pavilion
  • V-A-C Foundation
  • Diaspora Pavilion
  • Irish Pavilion
  • Italian Pavilion
  • Spanish Pavilion
  • Mondriaan Fund

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Giardini
  • Netherlands
  • Rotterdam

Sources