Its beginnings
Conceived in 1893 and staged in 1895, the very first Biennale celebrated the royal wedding of Umberto I and Margherita of the House of Savoy. From the outset, the exhibition established itself as a leading showcase for the greatest representatives of the artistic currents of the day. Among the great artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries are Klimt (1899), Renoir and Courbet (1910), Matisse, Cézanne and Van Gogh (1920), Modigliani (1922), Chagall (1928), De Chirico (1930), Dali, Kandinsky and Miro (1948), Pollock (1950), Jeff Koons (1990), Damien Hirst (1993) and Maurizio Cattelan (2013). In the post-war years, subjects diversified; alongside contemporary art, architecture made its appearance, first as a simple visual art form in 1975, then with its own edition in 1980. The event soon became a not-to-be-missed rendezvous for leading industry professionals from all over the world. Over the years, renowned architects and theorists such as David Chipperfield, Rem Koolhaas and Alejandro Aravena have alternated at its helm, making the event a global think-tank for the conception and realization of contemporary architecture.
Its framework..
Since its creation, the Biennale has taken place in the emblematic Castello sestiere, at the eastern end of Venice, between the Giardini, the only public gardens in the lagoon city, and the buildings of the Arsenale, the legendary shipyard of the Serenissima. With its 11,400m2, it is the main exhibition site for the event. Over 90 nations take part, sharing out pavilions, some permanent, others changing. The Central Pavilion or Padiglione Italia is at the heart of the event, a multi-functional building that is a must for visitors, hosting Italian creations and group exhibitions. Beyond the exhibition period, the perimeter occupied by the exhibitors becomes a site to be visited all year round. The pavilions, stripped of their works, are always open to visitors. Their diverse and varied architecture marks a stylistic turning point in a city of Doges imbued with the charm of the past. From the Italian pavilion with its austere, rationalist facade, to the Canadian made entirely of reclaimed wood, to the Australian resembling a mobile home, the visitor is torn between admiration and bewilderment.
... and all around
The Venice Biennale also includes a whole series of collateral events on the bangs of the Arsenale and the Giardini. This "off" programming remains connected to the main theme and takes the form of shows, conferences and exhibitions, renewed each year. Organized throughout the Serenissima, these ancillary events take place in a variety of prestigious venues, including the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim and Prada foundations, the old glassworks on the island of Murano and even private palaces that open their doors for the occasion. A dizzying profusion of offerings; the entire program (on the main site and throughout Venice) is detailed in a 30-page booklet published each year and available free of charge from the tourist office or on the Biennale website. All ticket prices are available on the Venice Biennale website, according to section (arts, cinema, architecture, theater, etc.).
How does it work?
Today, the Biennale is managed by the Biennale di Venezia, a non-profit organization in charge of the most prestigious events in the lagoon, such as the Mostra del Cinema, as well as dance, music and theater festivals. It is based in the Palazzo Ca' Giustinian, a stone's throw from St. Mark's Square, which is itself the exhibition venue for the event. For each edition, a curator is appointed from among leading figures in the world of art and architecture. Under the curator's guidance, a major theme is chosen, and an international call for entries is issued to artists and architects from all over the world. A jury of professionals awards a series of prizes to the best entrants, including the emblematic Golden Lion to the winner; their works then become capable of influencing the course of art.
Trends
The Venice Biennale is not just a contemporary art or architecture event, it's one of those events that have become part of our collective culture, changing the way we hear, understand and practice, as it is capable of capturing the mutations and impulses of today's society. In recent years, political and social events have played a major role in the context of this event. Through their works, artists have expressed concern about global warming, defended oppressed peoples and campaigned for women's resistance. The 2022 edition was held under the direction of Cecilia Alemani, the first woman to orchestrate this major international event. In 2023, for the first time, Africa took center stage at the Architecture Biennale, directed by Ghanaian-Scottish Lesley Lokko. This year, the 19ᵉ edition of the Architecture Biennale entitled Intelligens. Naturale. Artificiale. Collettiva. curated by Carlo Ratti, will take intelligence as its theme, and will attempt to explore ways of responding to the challenges posed by global warming.
