It was the poet Shelley who compared the beauty of Venice to ‘magic pillars in heaven’. Milky-green, lagoon-fed canals are lined by churches and palaces plastered in a unique palette of pink, terracotta and muted mustard, while architectural details speak to Byzantine and Moorish influences as well as classical and Venetian Gothic. To wander the streets is to be transported to an earthly paradise, illuminated by the glitter of water. Adding to the attraction is La Biennale Arte – an every-other-year exhibition billed as such Olympics Contemporary Art World, with medals (Golden and Silver Lions) awarded, and whose capacity is equal to city itself to invite aesthetic limrance. Along with that, certain affiliated shows afford to reach the outstanding Internal From it’s ancient grand palazzi, frescoed sacral churches and quiet garden Planted with medicinal plants and ancient vines.
Before we get to the Venice Biennale highlights, let’s quickly learn about the Biennale itself. It consists of a central show, two sides locations – Giardini di Castello and the Arsenale – and more than 100 pavilions, each run in a different way. the countrywhose government decides which artist(s) will represent them. Geopolitics being what they are, only 29 countries have their buildings in the Giardini, most built in the early years of the 20th century (for example, the British Pavilion, dates from 1909 and was designed by Edwin Alfred Rickards to evoke an 18th-century, Italianate English country house); Other countries either use space in the Arsenal or locate a palazzo or church in the city. with multiple collaterals eventsAs well as other deliberately timed performances.
Of note this year is that the politics have become more pronounced, raising questions about who deserves the platform and whether censorship has a place in contemporary art. The entire international jury resigned days before the opening, meaning the awards ceremony has been postponed. Central to the situation is the fact that Russia has a pavilion in the Giardini and, having been absent for 2022 and 2024, decided to return. It is within the rules of the Biennale’s inclusive ideals (basically, any country that is recognized by the Italian government is eligible to host a national pavilion), but there has been significant opposition from other countries, and the EU has withdrawn funding for 2028. The preview week was marked by protests, during which a photographic cloud of Pussy Riotske was produced.
And the protests weren’t just against Russia: there was a significant police presence at the Arsenale, where the Israeli pavilion is temporarily located. in others NewsSouth African Culture The minister canceled a planned South African pavilion exhibition by Johannesburg artist Gabriel Goliath, labeling a memorial to Palestinian poet Hiba Abu Nada as ‘extremely divisive’ – the artist has staged the exhibition independently. Creative Australia also canceled the participation of their artist Khaled Sabsabi, but later reinstated him. And there are more challenges: Koyo Kouh, the curator of this year’s central exhibition – the first African woman to do so – sadly died in May 2025, although she had already conceived the idea. in minor keyswhich is realized on her behalf by the team she has assembled.
