The Venice Biennial

53rd International Art Exhibition - Fare Mondi // Making Worlds

June 7 - November 22, 2009

The 53rd edition of the Venice Biennial was inaugurated on June 7, under the direction of renowned curator, Daniel Birnbaum. Entitled “Making Worlds,” it assembles the projects of more than 90 creators from 77 countries, including first-time participation by Montenegro, Principality of Monaco, Republic of Gabon, Union of Comoros and the United Arab Emirates. The exhibitions are distributed among the historic pavilions of Arsenale and the Giardini, as well as other numerous locations throughout the city. This year there will also be 38 events collateral to the Biennial coordinated by various international institutions and organizations. The United States Pavilion is represented by Bruce Nauman with his project “Topological Gardens,” curated by Carlos Basualdo and Michael R. Taylor. The U.S. Pavillion won the Golden Lion Award for Best National Participation.

“The title of the exhibition, “Fare Mondi // Making Worlds” - says Director Daniel Birnbaum - expresses my wish to emphasize the process of creation. A work of art represents a vision of the world and, if taken seriously, it can be seen as a way of making a world. The strength of the vision is not dependent on the kind or complexity of the tools brought into play. Hence all forms of artistic expression are present: installation art, video and film, sculpture, performance, painting and drawing, and a live parade. Taking ´worldmaking´ as a starting point, also allows the exhibition to highlight the fundamental importance of certain key artists for the creativity of successive generations, just as much as exploring new spaces for art to unfold outside the institutional context and beyond the expectations of the art market. “Fare Mondi // Making Worlds” is an exhibition driven by the aspiration to explore worlds around us as well as worlds ahead. It is about possible new beginnings-this is what I would like to share with the visitors of the Biennial.”

The Awards and Opening Ceremony of the 53rd International Art Exhibition took place on Saturday, June 6 in the Giardini. This year, Yoko Ono and John Baldessari were the recipients of The Golden Lions Award for Lifetime Achievement.

For further information, visit  www.labiennale.org