A highlight in the art world calendar, 2022 saw the return of The 59th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale running from 23 April to 27 November 2022 curated by Cecilia Alemani. Our consultant Emma headed over to Venice to experience the fair first hand (for the first time), and here are her highlights, in no particular order.
Ugo Rondione – burn shine fly at Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista – The seven flying bodies are also casts of dancers. Their bodies are camouflaged as cloudy skies. The flying body-clouds mark the end of a trilogy where the human body merges with the natural elements: soil, fire, water, and air. – ugo rondinone This exhibition unfortunately finished on the 24th of September but was a spectacular sight to behold within a beautiful, historic building.
Malta Pavilion – Arcangelo Sassolino, Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, and Brian Schembri. The artists reimagine Caravaggio’s seminal Maltese altarpiece The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist as a kinetic, sculptural installation. Molten steel falls from the sky into the water below hypnotising the viewer. This was without a doubt Emma’s favourite pavilion.
Italian Pavilion – History of Night and Destiny of Comets presented by Artist Gian Maria Tosatti. History of Night and Destiny of Comets is a huge site-specific installation and reflects the destiny of humanity poised between a past of dreams and mistakes and a future yet to be. Enter with an open mind!
Anselm Keifer at the Doges Palace. “Questi scritti, quando verranno bruciati, daranno finalmente un po’ di luce”—is a quote from Andrea Emo (1901–1983), the Italian philosopher in whose world of thought the painter sees a reflection of his own. This exhibition is awe inspiring and should be at the top of everyone’s list. Photo’s cannot reflect the immense nature of this exhibition and the dramatic effect that Kiefer’s work has in this space.
Sonia Boyce at the British Pavillion. Sonia Boyce OBE RA represents Great Britain at the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Commissioned by the British Council, the exhibition – Feeling Her Way – features a major solo exhibition of new work from the artist, and runs from 23 April – 27 November 2022. A truly immersive exhibition and well deserved of the Golden Lion.
Have you made it out to Venice this year? Let us know what you enjoyed? With less than a month left there is still time to visit…
Notes from DRAW · 25.10.2022