Highlights from the 61st Venice Biennale: Art, Protest, and Unexpected Moments
The 61st Venice Biennale, running until November 22, 2026, features participants from 99 countries in a diverse display of contemporary art. The Guardian’s photographic coverage highlights several striking installations and moments. Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova presents 'Security Guarantees,' featuring a concrete 'Origami Deer' evacuated from Donetsk before Russian occupation, symbolizing resilience amidst conflict. The Egyptian Pavilion offers a multisensory experience with Armen Agop’s 'Silence Pavilion,' engaging visitors through touch and smell. In the Polish Pavilion, the film 'Liquid Tongues' by Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski showcases a choir of hearing and deaf singers. Beyond the galleries, a nesting seagull outside the Polish Pavilion became an unofficial celebrity, protected by staff and admired by visitors. The Holy See Pavilion, located at Giardino Mistico, presents an immersive sound installation curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers, featuring works by prominent artists like Patti Smith and Brian Eno. The event also witnessed provocative elements, including Pussy Riot protests and controversial artworks, underscoring the festival's reputation for blending high art with political and social commentary.
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Highlights from the 61st Venice Biennale: Art, Protest, and Unexpected Moments
The 61st Venice Biennale, running until November 22, 2026, features participants from 99 countries in a diverse display of contemporary art. The Guardian’s photographic coverage highlights several striking installations and moments. Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova presents 'Security Guarantees,' featuring a concrete 'Origami Deer' evacuated from Donetsk before Russian occupation, symbolizing resilience amidst conflict. The Egyptian Pavilion offers a multisensory experience with Armen Agop’s 'Silence Pavilion,' engaging visitors through touch and smell. In the Polish Pavilion, the film 'Liquid Tongues' by Bogna Burska and Daniel Kotowski showcases a choir of hearing and deaf singers. Beyond the galleries, a nesting seagull outside the Polish Pavilion became an unofficial celebrity, protected by staff and admired by visitors. The Holy See Pavilion, located at Giardino Mistico, presents an immersive sound installation curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers, featuring works by prominent artists like Patti Smith and Brian Eno. The event also witnessed provocative elements, including Pussy Riot protests and controversial artworks, underscoring the festival's reputation for blending high art with political and social commentary.