Venice Biennale 2019 - May You Live in Interesting Times

The title of the 58th International Art Exhibition aka the Venice Biennale is taken from a Chinese saying referring to periods of uncertainty, crisis and turmoil; "interesting times," exactly as the ones we live in today. The “must-see” exhibition for contemporary art afficionados runs from 11 May - 24 November 2019.

The central international exhibition is divided into two separate shows, one at the Arsenale, and one at the Central Pavilion in the Giardini. Both "Propositions" exhibit very different kinds of works featuring artists selected by 79 nations.

Curator Ralph Rugoff about his concept:
"At a moment when the digital dissemination of fake news and 'alternative facts' is corroding political discourse and the trust on which it depends, it is worth pausing whenever possible to reassess our terms of reference. The 58th International Art Exhibition will not have a theme per se, but will highlight a general approach to making art and a view of art’s social function as embracing both pleasure and critical thinking. Artists who think in this manner offer alternatives to the meaning of so-called facts by suggesting other ways of connecting and contextualising them."