Venetian Biennale: description, features, history and interesting facts

For almost 120 years the Venetian Biennale has been honored by artists and art. Opening the doors to all connoisseurs 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's independent status.

Only military actions prevented the holding of this world forum. Everyone can visit the exhibition, get acquainted with modern 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 Venetian Biennale became one of the main attractions of Venice.

What is the Biennale?

This is an international art exhibition, where artists from all countries are invited. Each country has its own separate pavilion. By the way, the construction of these pavilions in the 20th century was conducted under the guidance of the world's best architects. The 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" came from Latin bis - twice and annuus - 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 well known. It is this forum that is the symbol of art without any admixture of politics. Although in our century exhibitions and museums are not a rare phenomenon, but it is the Venetian Biennale - the concentration of geniuses around the world.

To exhibit 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 honorable and responsible to be the curator of the forum. The opening hours of the exhibition are several months, which are divided into three stages. First, the pre-conditions during which the jury members are introduced to the exhibitions, then the official opening, at which prizes are awarded. During the third stage, the public gets access to the public.

The first Venetian Biennale

The first exhibition in Venice was held in 1885, at the initiative of Consul Riccardo Selvatiko. Then the forum was only 16 member countries. Only after the Second World War the Venetian Biennale gained world 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.

Venetian Biennale 2017

From May 13 to November 26, the 57th Biennale was held, under the motto "Viva arta viva" (Long live the living art), which, according to the curator, should have been focused on the artist and his world.

This Venetian Biennale of Contemporary Art has become special for postmodernity. More than 100 young artists were invited to the forum. A fresh look at art has significantly updated the usual picture of the exhibition. The art here has acquired such forms as an installation from a fabric with which it is necessary to interact. The prize for the "Best National Pavilion" was given to the Germans, who arranged a five-hour performance.

The French pavilion presented a musical installation with the participation of 60 performers. As usual, except for national ones, the thematic pavilions dedicated to Earth, Flowers, Time and many other topics worked on the forum.

The Russian pavilion this year was represented by the art group Recycle with an installation about virtual reality. Famous Russian artist Grisha Bruskin impressed the public with his social and political idea, his work was appreciated by the British The Guardian. Also in our pavilion there was a debutante Sasha Pirogov.

Russian Pavilion at the Venetian Biennale

The creator of the Russian pavilion in 1914 was Shchusev Alexey Viktorovich, Honored Architect of the USSR. Not every time Russian artists managed to participate in a well-known 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 the Russian masters were 97, including the famous Boris Kustodiev, who had been to the exhibition more than once. Participants in the Russian Venetian Biennial are already more numerous, often an art group. But, despite all the efforts, Russia has not yet taken the Golden Lion.

Biennale 1977

The Venice Biennale in 1977 was a landmark. 38 the exhibition was devoted to dissidents and dissent, the unofficial art of Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. In that year, the work of dissidents from the countries of the socialist camp was exhibited at the forum. This biennial is considered the most political in the history of exhibitions, provoking outrage of the USSR ambassador in Italy.

Nevertheless, the exhibition was held, giving the opportunity to many artists of Russian origin to get to the forum. In the Russian national pavilion that year, an exhibition of a group of artists was placed, including Eric Bulatov, Oscar Rabin, Ilya Kabakov, Anatoly Zverev, Oleg Vasilyev, Andrei Monastyrsky, Oleg Lyagachov-Helga. In all there were 99.

Curators expected to see Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Mstislav Rostropovich, Andrei Tarkovsky and other great cultural figures, but many could not come. As a result, the Venetian architectural biennale in 1977 failed, there were no celebrities. State financial support, respectively, did not have dissidents, which affected the quality of the exhibition. The Italian authorities wanted to receive an influx of tourists, but the cold weather and the conflict topic prevented them.

Architectural Biennale

Architecture is one of the most important instruments of influencing the world. This art combines creative approach, science and work. Therefore, architectural art has always been in high esteem at all the Biennale. Subjects of architecture and contemporary art alternate at the Biennale. Previously, the theme of architecture was part of the overall, but since 1980 the Biennale was divided.

The Venice Architectural Biennale is held every even year. Architectural biennials are like the exchange of experience, it is a demonstration of new technologies and achievements. Unlike art forums, here not only show their skills, but also discuss new projects. The usual viewer is also very interesting, the scale is grasping. In addition to aesthetic issues, here are asked social. Architecture is the creation of comfortable and ergonomic housing, the construction of hospitals and schools, without the care of a person it is meaningless.

Interesting Facts

• In 2009, the "Golden Lion" received the well-known Yoko Ono for his contribution to art.
• The oldest artist at the 57th Biennale, the Romanian Goethe of Bratescu, was 91 years old.
• An interesting point - the work here is not for sale.
• You can bypass all pavilions in 2 days.
• Boris Kustodiev - the only Russian artist who received a prize at the Venice Biennale in 1907.
• Pablo Picasso was banned from exhibiting his work at the Biennale for 50 years.
• The ticket price is 15-30 euros.