Five South Africans on Venice Biennale 2003
At 108 years, the Venice Biennale is the world's oldest international art exposition. This year's event, directed by directed by Francesco Bonami, will officially open on June 15.
South African artists Moshekwa Langa, Clifford Charles, Pitso Chinzima, Veliswa Gwintsa and Chris Ledochowski have all been invited to appear on this year's Biennale, the first four appearing on 'Fault Lines: Contemporary African Art And Shifting Landscapes', curated Gilane Tawadros; Ledochowski appearing on 'The Structure of Survival', curated by Carlos Basualdo. (See listings for further details.)
Francesco Bonami, along with Daniel Birnbaum, curates the feature show, 'Delays and Revolutions'. Appearing on this show will be such artworld heavyweights as Matthew Barney, Maurizio Cattelan, Sam Durant, Dan Graham, Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas, Gabriel Orozco, Charles Ray, as well as the perennially relevant Andy Warhol. A total of 265 artists will be participating on this year's event.
Commenting on the mood of the show, as well as the context in which its will be received, Artforum's Steven Henry Madoff has remarked: "Call it zeitgeist, curatorial preoccupation, or fashion - the thrust of these exhibitions is art mapped onto social and political frameworks."
Bonami is said to be worried that war and fear of terrorism may have a negative influence on visitors. An estimated four hundred thousand visitors attended the event two years ago, opened prior to the epoch defining September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, DC. Bonami, however, argues that the Biennale "is a counter to destructive acts." Time, and the closing of the event in November, will indicate whether masses agree with him.
