Venice Biennale 2024: Indian Creativity Takes Center Stage
Although there’s no Indian pavilion this year, a record number of Indian creatives are dominating the island, bringing fresh energy and influence to the event by featuring historic Indian art like “Cosmic Garden” and “The Rooted Nomad,” alongside innovative installations and a redesigned historic venue showcased by twelve key artists.
Though India lacks a national pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale, its artistic influence is striking.The landmark edition, curated by Adriano Pedrosa with the theme Foreigners Everywhere, showcases twelve Indian artists, including Bhupen Khakhar and the Aravani Art Project. Anand Patwardhan’s Bombay Our City also adds to India’s powerful presence in the Biennale’s vibrant landscape.
The Central Pavilion at Giardini showcases a prominent Indian presence with Monika Correa’s *No Moon Tonight* and Zilia Sánchez’s *Lunar*. The exhibit also features vibrant contrasts between Anwar Jalal Shemza, Ernest Mancoba, and Carmen Herrera.
Become a Premium Member to access our exclusive contents: https://authindia.com/premium-community-membership/ A key highlight of the Biennale is the old-fashioned portraits section, featuring Amrita Sher-Gil’s *The Head of a Girl* alongside works by Souza, Roy, B Prabha, and Ram Kumar. Notable collateral events include “Cosmic Garden,” with Manu and Manisha Parekh’s art and Chanakya School artisans’ pieces, and KNMA’s “The Rooted Nomad,” a rich exploration of M.F. Husain’s life and work.
Highlights elsewhere include Yuko Mohri’s nature-reflective distiller in Japan, Jeffrey Gibson’s groundbreaking work at the US Pavilion, Julien Creuzet’s dynamic installation for France, Glicéria Tupinambá’s poetic choral for Brazil, and Roberto Huarcaya’s stunning 30-meter frame in Peru’s Amazon.
Indian influences shine in the Italian Pavilion with Massimo Bartolini’s *Due qui / To Hear*, featuring a unique organ and a meditative Bodhisattva. Christoph Büchel’s *Monte di Pietà* delves into debt and power, while *The Juggler’s Revenge* at Peggy Guggenheim celebrates Cocteau’s eclecticism. Palazzo Rota Ivancich presents a curated selection of over a hundred Lalanne works.
Fortuny and designer Chahan Minassian have reinvented the historic Fortuny headquarters on Giudecca Island into a contemporary design showcase. Combining iconic fabrics with modern elements, the venue offers a unique glimpse into Venetian craftsmanship and contemporary art, available through exclusive access. o Moon Tonight* and Zilia Sánchez’s *Lunar*. The exhibit also features vibrant contrasts between Anwar Jalal Shemza, Ernest Mancoba, and Carmen Herrera.
