VIVA ARTE VIVA 57th International Art Exhibition

Officially, the 57th Art Biennale takes place in the former Venetian military dockyard,the Arsenale, and in the pavilions of the Giardini, although, as usual, there will be many off events throughout the city. The 2017 Biennale is curated by Christine Macel, since 2000 Chief Curator at the Musée d’art moderne at the Pompidou Centre. Her theme for Venice is Viva Art Viva, offering, in very French fashion, “a journey from the interiority to infinity” through a sequence of interconnected “Trans-pavilions”.

The Exhibition will be open to the public from Saturday May 13th to Sunday November 26th 2017. The preview will take place on May 10th, 11th and 12th, the awards ceremony and inauguration will be held on Saturday May 13th 2017.

VIVA ARTE VIVA will unfold over the course of nine chapters or families of artists, beginning with two introductory realms in the Central Pavilion, followed by another seven across the Arsenale through the Giardino delle Vergini. 120 are the invited artists from 51 countries; 103 of these are participating for the first time.

The Exhibition will also include 85 National Participations in the historic Pavilions at the Giardini, at the Arsenale and in the historic city centre of Venice. Four countries will be participating for the first time: Antigua and Barbuda, Kiribati, Nigeria, and Kazakhstan.

Also for this edition, selected Collateral Events are featured. Promoted by non-profit national and international institutions, they will present their exhibitions and initiatives in Venice during the 57th Exhibition.

Discover more about the event