2011 Venice Biennale Contemporary Art Showcase

All about Venice Biennale, one of the most important showcases of contemporary art in the world.

First held in 1895, Venice Biennale features 83 artists from 89 participating nations, chosen by art historian and critic Bice Curiger, the Director of Venice Biennale this year: the theme for this 54th edition is Illuminazioni, Illuminations.

Among the most buzzed artists of this edition: Mike Nelson (twice finalist for the Turner Prize), at the English Pavilion with the project I, Impostor; Christian Boltanski is a must-see at the French Pavilion, with his theme, The Chance. The artist created an online game too (www.boltanski-chance.com). Special mentions have been awarded to the Swedish artist Klara Lidén and to the Lithuania Pavilion. The Golden Lion for Best Pavilion went to Germany, for the posthumous installation by artist Christoph Schlingensief. Golden Lion for the best artist went to the American Christian Marclay for The Clock (2010), a genius 24-hour montage that replicates the passage of local time through film excerpts. Silver Lion for the artist revelation of this year goes to English artist Haaron Mirza, who presented two installations, Sick at the Giardini and The national pavillion of then and now at the Arsenale. The Golden Lions for career achievement go to Franz West, sculptor from Austria and Elaine Sturtevant, an American artist with a pop focus.

If you are visiting the Biennale, don’t forget to have a look also at the 37 Collateral Events organized by international institutions which set up their shows in several places around the city (for details, please check Biennale website).

VENICE BIENNALE - 54th International Art Exhibition
Central Pavilion in the Giardini and the Arsenale
Open until 27th November 2011
Opening hours: from 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Closed on Mondays excepting for 15th August, 31st October and 21st November
Full ticket price: € 20
Biennale website