'Let there be ‘Illumination...’

The spaces available for the design of the great International Exhibition of the Biennale’s curator are among other important aspects of the whole showcase. They had to be fit for the purpose. And for this reason, in 1998 the organizers equipped the event with the extraordinary spaces made up, on one side, of the central Pavilion and the Arsenale, on the other. Spaces are critical elements of the Exhibition, which in such spaces and their special layout finds the most suitable way to create its own language.

The new Italian Pavilion at the Arsenale, this year has been entrusted to Prof. Vittorio Sgarbi, who has been appointed the curator by the Italian Minister for culture. Paolo Baratta, President of the Venice Biennale states in a note: “The curator must possess an expert eye, independent mind, generosity towards artists, a strict selection ability, and great fidelity to that mysterious goddess that is quality. These are the gifts which are recognized to Bice Curiger all over the world.

“We agree with Bice. In an age in which art has long since ceased the emphasis on the provocation of anti-art, we seek the ways of the dialogue between the artist’s work and our vision and our spirit, we want to understand and feel the 'beyond'” that art generously offers and whispers to us, we wish ‘illumination’ as visitors, as art lovers, as individuals and as members of the human community. And so, let there be ‘Illumination’…”

Bice Curiger, who graduated in Zurich, is an art historian and critic, and a curator of exhibitions at an international level. Since 2004, she has served as editorial director of ‘Tate etc’ magazine, Tate Gallery, London. Since 2001, she has been Member of the Palais de Tokyo Board, Paris and Adjunct Curator at the Kunsthaus, Zurich since 1993.

The 54th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia will present, as usual, the National Participations with their own exhibitions in the historic Pavilions of the Giardini, and in the centre of Venice.