Stuttgart, 24. Februar 2022 – It is regarded as the origin of all biennials and a much copied success story: there are currently more than 300 biennials around the world that have been inspired by the Biennale di Venezia. The Venetian original remains unique with its historically evolved concept based on national contributions with their own pavilions - but this is also criticised as being no longer in keeping with the times. The German Pavilion, in particular, has repeatedly been the focus of heated debate as the concrete embodiment of a totalitarian ideology.
The biennale stories digital format was conceived and realised in 2021 to mark the 50th anniversary of the coordination of the German Pavilion by ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen. Scrollytelling (scrolling + storytelling) makes it possible for the biennale stories to provide information and background about the German Pavilion in an easily accessible way. Using a varied combination of image, text and audio content, the innovative digital format opens up new perspectives on its chequered history.
The second edition of the biennale stories, „Demolish It, Remodel It, Live With It“, is now the first of numerous new formats and offerings being prepared by ifa for the 2022 Biennale. It centres on the building of the German Pavilion itself which is more controversial than any other at the Venice Biennale. The listed building has been the subject of controversial debate ever since the National Socialist regime gave the exhibition building the appearance that endures to this day. The current issue focuses on the Pavilion’s exciting history and architecture and addresses the long-standing and constantly emerging debates connected with it. Moreover, the traces left by the artistic interventions to the Pavilion by past contributions can also be viewed in the biennale stories #2.
https://biennale-stories.ifa.de/02/
The first edition of the biennale stories already appeared last year. The city of Venice as the host of the world’s oldest and most prestigious art biennial served as the starting point in „Pebbles, Pomp and Patrons“.
https://biennale-stories.ifa.de/01/
#3 is now being planned under the working title of ”The German Pavilion Revisited”. We intend to work with three international authors on scrutinising existing power structures in art and considering the Pavilion and the history of the Biennale against the background of (de)colonial and (post)national discourses.
All of the editions can be found at https://biennale-stories.ifa.de/
Since 1971, ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen has been coordinating the German Pavilion at the Biennale Arte in Venice on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office. During this time, the German contribution has won the Golden Lion on seven occasions, including four times for the best national participation. In 2009, ifa was also given the role of commissioner and consequently assumes the financial responsibility for the major exhibition/event. ifa works hand in hand with the respective artistic director and the Federal Foreign Office.
www.ifa.de/ausstellungen/deutscher-pavillon-venedig-biennale/
About ifa
ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen promotes a peaceful and enriching coexistence between people and cultures worldwide. ifa supports artistic and cultural exchange in exhibition, dialogue and conference programmes, and it acts as a centre of excellence for international cultural relations. It is part of a global network and relies on sustainable, long-term partnerships.
ifa is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg and its capital Stuttgart. www.ifa.de/en
Press contact:
Miriam Kahrmann, Tel. 0711.2225.105, presse(at)ifa.de, www.ifa.de/presse