For nearly 120 years, the Venice Biennale has been honoring artists and art. Opening its doors to all lovers of beauty, the biennale is the culmination of creativity. The event is always widely covered in the press. The curators and the organizing committee, which always consist of specialists from different countries, try to keep the exhibition independent status.
Only hostilities hindered the holding of this global forum. Everyone can visit the exhibition, get acquainted with contemporary art trends. The authorities of Venice in every way stimulate tourists to attend the event, creating for them the most interesting and comfortable conditions. Thus , the Venice Biennale became one of the main attractions of Venice.
What is a biennale?
This is an international art exhibition where artists of all countries are invited. Each country has its own separate pavilion. By the way, the construction of these pavilions in the 20th century took place under the guidance of the world's best architects. An international jury singles out some artists and national pavilions, honoring them with a special award - the Golden Lion or the Silver Lion.
The word "biennale" comes from the Latin bis - twice and annuus - a year, respectively, the exhibition takes place every two years, every odd year. In addition to the Venetian, there are others, but they are not so famous. This forum is a symbol of art without an admixture of politics. Although exhibitions and museums are not rare in our century, the Venetian Biennale is the concentration of geniuses of the whole world.
Putting your masterpiece here is a great honor for all artists. Each biennale has its own theme and motto, which all exhibitors must adhere to. In addition, it is an honor and responsibility to be the curator of the forum. Opening hours of the exhibition are several months, which are divided into three stages. First, preliminary presentations, during which the jury members get acquainted with the exhibitions, then the official opening, at which prizes are awarded. During the third stage, access to the expositions is received by the general public.
First Venetian Biennale
The first exhibition in Venice was held in 1885, on the initiative of the Consul Riccardo Selvatico. Then the forum was only 16 participating countries. Only after the Second World War did the Venetian Biennale gain global significance. The first was not a social or political action, it was a pure embodiment of art, a platform where creative people could reveal themselves.
Venice Biennale 2017
From May 13 to November 26, the 57th Biennale was held under the motto “Viva arta viva” (Long live living art), which, according to the curator, was to focus on the artist and his world.
This Venetian Biennale of Contemporary Art has become special for postmodernism. Over 100 aspiring artists were invited to the forum. A fresh look at art has significantly updated the familiar picture of the exhibition. The art here has taken on such forms as a fabric installation, with which it is necessary to interact. The prize for the "Best National Pavilion" was received by the Germans who staged a five-hour performance.
The French pavilion presented a musical installation with 60 performers. As usual, besides the national ones, the thematic pavilions dedicated to the Earth, Flowers, Time and many other topics worked at the forum.
This year, the Russian pavilion was represented by the Recycle art group with an installation on virtual reality. The famous Russian artist Grisha Bruskin impressed the public with his socio-political idea, his work was appreciated by the British The Guardian. Also in our pavilion was the debutant Sasha Pirogova.
Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
The creator of the Russian pavilion in 1914 was Alexei Shchusev, Honored Architect of the USSR. Not every time Russian artists managed to participate in a famous forum. So in the war years the USSR did not take part in the exhibition until 1956. In some years, only one artist came to the exhibition, for example, Aristarkh Lentulov in 1988.
But in 1924 there were 97 Russian masters, including the famous Boris Kustodiev, who visited the exhibition more than once. Participants in the Russian Venice Biennale are already more numerous, often art groups. But, despite all efforts, Russia has not yet taken the Golden Lion.
Biennale 1977
The Venice Biennale of 1977 was a landmark. 38th exhibition was dedicated to dissidents and dissent, the unofficial art of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. That year, the forum exhibited the work of dissidents of the socialist camp countries. This biennale is considered the most political in the history of exhibitions, causing outrage of the USSR ambassador to Italy.
Nevertheless, the exhibition was held, providing an opportunity for many artists of Russian origin to get to the forum. In the Russian national pavilion that year, an exhibition of a group of artists, including Eric Bulatov, Oscar Rabin, Ilya Kabakov, Anatoly Zverev, Oleg Vasiliev, Andrey Monastyrsky, Oleg Lyagachev-Helga, was placed. There were 99 of them.
The curators expected to see Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Mstislav Rostropovich, Andrey Tarkovsky and other great cultural figures, but many could not come. As a result, the 1977 Venice Biennale of architecture failed, there were no celebrities. Accordingly, dissidents did not have state financial support, which affected the quality of the exhibition. The Italian authorities wanted to get an influx of tourists, but the cold weather and the conflict topic prevented them.
Architectural Biennale
Architecture is one of the most important tools for influencing the world. This art combines creativity, science and work. Therefore, architectural art has always been held in high esteem at all biennials. The themes of architecture and contemporary art alternate at the Biennale. Previously, the theme of architecture was included in the general, but since 1980 the Biennale has been divided.
The Venice Architecture Biennale takes place every even year. The architectural biennale is reminiscent of an exchange of experience; it is a demonstration of new technologies and achievements. Unlike art forums, here they not only show their skills, but also discuss new projects. It is also very interesting to the ordinary viewer, the scale is breathtaking. In addition to aesthetic questions, they are asked social here. Architecture is the creation of comfortable and ergonomic housing, the construction of hospitals and schools, without caring for a person it makes no sense.
Interesting Facts
- In 2009, the Golden Lion received the notorious Yoko Ono for his contribution to art.
- The oldest artist at the 57th Biennale, Romanian Goethe Bratescu, was 91 years old.
- An interesting point - the work here is not for sale.
- You can get around all the pavilions in 2 days.
- Boris Kustodiev is the only Russian artist to receive a prize at the Venice Biennale in 1907.
- Pablo Picasso was banned from exhibiting at the Biennale for 50 years.
- Ticket price - 15-30 euros.