It was in 1893 that the municipal administration of Venice, with the mayor Riccardo Selvatico, to celebrate the silver wedding between King Umberto and Margherita di Savoia, decided to "establish a biennial national artistic exhibition".

Open to the public in 1895, the Biennale di Venezia takes its name from the biennial cadence of its events, where it hosts sectors such as: architecture, art, theatre, music and cinema (the only one with an annual anniversary).

Born with the aim of spreading culture, stimulating activity and the art market, it has changed locations several times, moving from Palazzo Pro Arte to the current Central Pavilion, near the Biennale Gardens, in sestiere di Castello. It is precisely around this building that over the years several other complexes (about 29) were born with the function of national pavilions.

“May you live in interesting times“

This year the Biennale di Venezia, in addition to hosting the International Film Festival, the International Theatre Festival and the International Festival of contemporary dance and music, is also home to the 58th International Art Exhibition.

The show titled "May you live in interesting times" curated by Ralph Rugoff wants to remind everyone of us that, in times when everything is reduced to simplification, generated by conformism and fear, we must necessarily find something that makes us understand we live in interesting times.

The President of the Biennial Paolo Baratta explains it well: «I believe that an exhibition of art is worth our attention, first and foremost, if it intends to present us with art and artists as a decisive challenge to all oversimplifying attitudes. The Exhibition will focus on the work of artists who challenge existing habits of thought and open up our readings of objects and images, gestures and situations».

If before December you pass through Venice is a must to make a visit to Biennale, the Exhibition develops from the Central Pavilion (Giardini) to the Arsenale, but the newsof this year are that four countries are participating for the first time at the Biennale Arte: Ghana, Madagascar, Malaysia, and Pakistan. The Dominican Republic exhibits for the first time at the Biennale Arte with its own national pavilion.