54th Venice Biennale opens

this Saturday at 10am, under the theme “Illumi-nazioni/ illumi-nation”.
The opening ceremony and combined award ceremony takes place at noon.
The Venice Biennale, which was established in 1896, enters its 113th year.
The exhibition this year, is chaired by the president Paolo Baratta and directed by Brice Curiger.
The international art jurors comprise Hassan Khan (Egypt), who is also the jury president, Carol Ying Lua Lu (China), Lietezia Ragaglia director of the Museion – Museo of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bolzano (Italy), Christine Macel writer/critic and curator of the Pompidou Centre, since 2000, (France), and John Waters, a renowned filmmaker/actor, writer/critic artist and art collector (USA).
The prizes include “The Golden Lion” Award for Best National Pavilion, “The Golden Lion” Award for the Best Artist and the “Silver Lion” Award for the most Promising Young Artist in the world.
Zimbabwean artists in Venice
Zimbabwe this year is participating for the first time, and is represented by Berry Bickle, whose works examines landscape and migration and question the perception of Western artistic monopoly.
She is accompanied by photographer Calvin Dondo, whose photographic series explores the dynamics of mixed race families and socio-cultural tribulations of citizenship, migration and the metaphorical ties that bind people together.
Tapfuma Gutsa, Zimbabwe’s international art figurehead, shows his critical and politically charged works which are concerned with notions of power and colonial subjugation of African people.
He uses unorthodox new media of tar and feathers, basket weave and video installation work to articulate his revolutionary artistic discourse.
Finally, new kid on the block Misheck Masamvu explores political violence in his painted series entitled “Disputed Seats”, which comment on post-colonial African elections.
According to Mrs Jil Coates, the director of the British Council in Zimbabwe, and key sponsor of the Zimbabwean Pavilion at Venice, located at the historic Church of Santa Maria della Pieta, Calle della Pieta, Castella, Zimbabwe’s showing at the Venice Biennale is a form of a cultural coming of age.
It is an opportunity for the world to view the transformations in art and the changes in the perception of African and specifically Zimbabwean art.
This is an historic occasion for the country. Zimbabwe’s contemporary art is now an internationally recognised force and voice in the world.
According to the organisers, “Zimbabwean art practice today is innovative, self-reflective and critical. It creates new positions on global perception and asks us to reconsider what is contemporary art.”
The 54th Venice Biennale 2011, “La Biennale di Venezia” will be followed by international business conglomerates, worldwide media and cultural sectors and will re-establish Zimbabwe’s artistic standing in the world.
The tickets cost 20 euros and a permanent pass is selling for 70 euros.
The Venice Biennale exhibition entails thematic educational art itineraries, guided tours and creative world art workshops. It runs from Saturday to November 30, 2011.
l Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Post-Modern Art Theory and Philosophy and a DBA Doctorate in Business Administration of PostColonial Art and Heritage Studies. He is a practicing artist, visual designer and corporate image designer.