Venice Biennale 2022: all the national pavilions, artists and curators
After a year-long delay due to the global pandemic, the art world is eagerly anticipating the 59th Venice Biennale, set to run from April 23 to November 27, 2022. This iteration of the famed Italian art show promises to be a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of art in challenging times.
At the heart of the Biennale is the main exhibition, curated this year by Cecilia Alemani. Titled "The Milk of Dreams," a reference to Leonora Carrington's writings, the show places a strong focus on Surrealism and features an unprecedented emphasis on women artists. This curatorial direction signals a shift in the art world's focus, highlighting voices that have often been marginalized in the past.
While the main exhibition is undoubtedly a major draw, the Biennale's true diversity shines through in its 90-plus national pavilions. These individual exhibitions, each representing a different country, offer a kaleidoscopic view of contemporary art from around the globe. Some pavilions will engage in dialogue with Alemani's central exhibition, while others will chart their own distinctive courses.
The themes explored in these national pavilions span a wide range of contemporary concerns. From the preservation of peat bogs in Patagonia to explorations of Black women's resilience, the exhibitions touch on environmental issues, social justice, cultural identity, and more. Some pavilions take on economic themes, such as Italy's examination of economic decline, while others delve into national symbolism, as seen in the Ghanaian pavilion's focus on their flag.
In a particularly intriguing move, the German Pavilion will explore its own history as a political site, turning the lens inward to examine the role of national representation in the context of an international art exhibition. On the other end of the spectrum, the Croatian Pavilion promises to showcase "nothing at all," a conceptual approach that is sure to spark discussion about the nature of art and exhibition.
The majority of the national pavilions are located in the Biennale's two main venues: the Arsenale and the Giardini. These historic locations provide a stunning backdrop for the contemporary artworks, creating a dialogue between the old and the new. However, some pavilions venture beyond these traditional spaces, with exhibitions sited at various locations across Venice, encouraging visitors to explore the city as they engage with the art.
In addition to the official national pavilions, the Biennale will feature four participants producing Biennale-sanctioned collateral events. These additional exhibitions and performances add another layer of depth to the already rich tapestry of the Biennale, offering alternative perspectives and approaches to contemporary art.
As visitors make their way through the Biennale, they will encounter a vast array of artistic mediums and approaches. From traditional painting and sculpture to cutting-edge digital installations and performance art, the exhibitions showcase the full spectrum of contemporary artistic practice. This diversity not only reflects the global nature of the art world but also provides a platform for emerging artists and new forms of expression.
The Venice Biennale has long been considered a barometer for trends in the contemporary art world, and the 2022 edition is poised to be no exception. As artists and curators grapple with the challenges and changes brought about by recent global events, the Biennale offers a unique opportunity to see how these experiences are being processed and expressed through art.
With its rich history, stunning setting, and unparalleled gathering of artistic talent, the 59th Venice Biennale promises to be a memorable event for art lovers, critics, and casual visitors alike. As the art world emerges from a period of unprecedented disruption, this Biennale stands as a testament to the resilience of human creativity and the enduring power of art to inspire, challenge, and connect us across borders and cultures.