“May You Live in Interesting Times” is the title that curator Ralph Rugoff, chose for the 58th Venice Art Biennale exhibition. Referencing a counterfeit Chinese curse, Rugoff proposes that “in an indirect fashion, perhaps art can be a kind of guide for how to live and think in ‘interesting times.’” Does his vision come to life in the main exhibition, and extend to the national pavilions and collateral events? Stay tuned for the stories, as we explore the pleasure and critical thinking in this venerated contemporary art biennial.
Philadelphia-based art historian and curator Deborah Barkun shares this selection of views. Follow us on Instagram @freshartintl to see more of the international art experience in Venice.
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May You Live in Interesting Times, Arsenale: Tarek Atoui, Maarten Bas, Mari Katayama, Zanele Muholi, Gabriel Rico, Hito Stereyl. Azerbaijan Pavilion: Orkhan Mamadov. DYSFUNCTIONAL, Ca’ d’Oro: Nacho Carbonell, Random International. Parasol Unit: Koushna Navabil.
Hito Stereyl, This is the Future, 2019, Arsenale 
Maarten Bas, Real Time XL The Artist by Maarten Bas, 2019, Arsenale 
Hito Stereyl, This is the Future, 2019, Arsenale 
Mari Katayama, Dolls and Boxes, 1990-2019, Arsenale 
Mari Katayama, Dolls and Boxes, 1990-2019, Arsenale 
Mari Katayama, Dolls and Boxes, 1990-2019, Arsenale 
Koushna Navabil, The Spark is You, Parasol Unit 
Nacho Carbonell, Light Mesh Series, 2019, DYSFUNCTIONAL, Ca’ d’Oro 
Tarek Atoui, The GROUND, 2018, Arsenale 
Gabriel Rico, IV dalla serie, 2018, Arsenale 
Orkhan Mamadov, Circular Repetition, 2019, Azerbaijan Pavilion 
Zanele Muholi, Arsenale 
Tarek Atoui, The GROUND, 2018, Arsenale 
Tarek Atoui, The GROUND, 2018, Arsenale 
Random International, Audience, DYSFUNCTIONAL, Ca’ d’Oro
Related Link: Art Historian Deborah Barkun Listens to Joana Choumali
Other Views of the Venice Art Biennale: 57th Venice Art Biennale, 56th Venice Art Biennale, Part One, 56th Venice Art Biennale, Part Two
[…] Venice is proven as a top destination for international contemporary art. The 58th Venice Art Biennale opened on May 11, 2019, and will be on view for the next six months. Thank you to Philadelphia-based art historian Deborah Barkun for contributing views from Venice on Instagram. Follow her encounters @freshartintl and explore Fresh VUE: 58th Venice Art Biennale. […]