26/09/2024
Venice Biennale 2024: a journey through identity and diversity in contemporary art
This month, we had the pleasure of visiting the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, one of the most prestigious events in the contemporary art world. This year’s edition, titled Stranieri Ovunque (Foreigners Everywhere), is curated by Adriano Pedrosa, a prominent figure in the art scene.
A Theme of inclusion and diversity
Adriano Pedrosa explains the deep meaning behind this year’s title: “The Italian term straniero (foreigner), like its Portuguese, French, and Spanish counterparts, is closely tied to the idea of estrangement and otherness.” The exhibition explores the artistic work of four emblematic figures: the queer artist, the outsider artist, the self-taught artist, and the indigenous artist, who are often marginalized or excluded from the mainstream art world. These artists, with their works deeply rooted in personal experiences, offer a unique perspective on themes such as sexuality, gender, identity, and cultural belonging. Pedrosa emphasizes how their distinct, foreign, or indigenous voices bring to light formal issues that enrich the contemporary art landscape.
Foreigners Everywhere: an exhibition that crosses boundaries
The theme of this year, Stranieri Ovunque, lends itself to multiple interpretations. On the one hand, it highlights how, wherever we go, we will always encounter foreigners. On the other hand, it reflects the intrinsic feeling of being a foreigner, regardless of where one lives. The 2024 Biennale focuses on artists who have personally experienced life as migrants, exiles, or refugees, with a particular focus on the cultural shifts between the Global South and the Global North.
A journey through global artists' works
At the entrance of the Giardini and the Arsenale, we were greeted by a neon sign from the Claire Fontaine collective with the exhibition’s title: Foreigners Everywhere. This welcoming message introduces a path where 60 slogans in various languages can be found, symbolizing the inclusivity and openness of the 2024 Biennale. The exhibition pavilions at the Giardini and the Arsenale showcase works from all over the world, offering a global and multicultural perspective on contemporary art.
The history of the Venice Biennale
First inaugurated in 1895, the Venice Biennale is the oldest contemporary art exhibition in the world. Initially created to establish a market for modern art, over the years, it has shifted its focus, becoming a benchmark for new artistic trends on an international level. With over 25,000 square meters of exhibition space and more than 300 artists from 80 countries, this event is now a must for all art enthusiasts.
The 60th Venice Biennale celebrates both art and humanity, blending tradition and innovation within a historical setting that looks toward the future. For all contemporary art lovers, we highly recommend this extraordinary edition, where identity, diversity, and inclusivity are at the heart of the global artistic discourse.
