Venice Biennale

2019Art BusinessPodcast

11 Feb

This episode goes behind the scenes at the Venice Biennale and I talk to Simone from the ECA about the history of the festival as well as it's impact on the art market. We talk about ways that artists can show at the Venice Biennale, and discuss how the unique setting of Venice creates logistical and administrative hurdles and why partnering with established organisations can help with the pains of showing in a unique city steeped in history and preservation.

Ever wondered how to take part in the Venice Biennale ? This episode goes behind the scenes at the Venice Biennale, which is comprised of 3 layers. The National pavilions show work that represents each country that is taking part. The collateral events are exhibitions that have a more independent status, and often by groups or institutions, these can take place at the Giardini or the Arsenale, or they can be in the historic centre of Venice. Finally there is the fringe events, these are independent shows by artists or groups which run alongside the main event. Usually these projects do not use the official Bienniale badge or branding but they take place at the same time and across different sites.

We talk about the history of the biennial and its impact on the art market. There is a phrase we hear a lot in the art world " see in Venice, buy in Basel" and we discuss what this means, how showing at the Venice Biennale can raise an artists' profile and their market value.