Hundreds of thousands of tiny glass beads placed to catch the sun cover the entire Canadian pavilion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most prestigious art fairs.
Kapwani Kiwanga, the Hamilton-born, Paris-based creator of the work, titled “Trinket,” used beads made on the nearby Venetian island of Murano. Centuries ago, similar beads were used all over the world as both desirable trade goods and currency in themselves. More on the installation here.
Pavilion has a heritage: more in this documentary
The designated heritage structure is an important landmark in the Giardini di Castello, the traditional site of the Biennale. A $3-million upgrade restored the building to its original 1957 design in 2018.
This National Film Board documentary on the pavilion and its artistic history is worth watching.
The National Gallery of Canada information on the exhibition, here
A CBC piece on Kipwani Kawanga, here.
The Biennale website, here.
Top of post: An installation view of the exhibition Kapwani Kiwanga: Trinket, 2024, Canada Pavilion, 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The Canadian Press/Valentina Mori
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No shortage of natural light in there!
Glass, glass beads, skylights, you’re so right!
I think this is one of those exhibits that you need to see in person.