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The Venice Biennale, revered as “the Olympics of the art world,” is set to unveil its 60th edition on April 20.
Under the theme “Stranieri Ovunque” or “Foreigners Everywhere,” curated by Adriano Pedrosa, the exhibition will feature 333 artists from around the world.

What is the Venice Biennale?

Inception: Proposed by Venice’s city government in 1893, the Biennale aimed to commemorate the silver jubilee of King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Italy.
Early Exhibitions: The inaugural exhibition in 1895 attracted over two lakh visitors, showcasing works by foreign and Italian artists without specific thematic constraints.

Structure of the Venice Biennale

Central Pavilion: Serving as the focal point, the central pavilion hosts the main exhibition curated by the appointed curator, highlighting selected artworks.
National Pavilions: Representing individual countries, these pavilions feature curated exhibitions managed by respective ministries of culture, with India having participated officially since 1954.
Collateral Events: Independent exhibitions and events across Venice complement the Biennale, enriching the cultural landscape.

Debut in 1954: India made its inaugural appearance with an exhibition organized by the Embassy of India in Rome, featuring eminent artists like M F Husain and Amrita Sher-Gil.
Subsequent Engagements: Indian artists have participated in various editions, with official pavilions organized in 2011 and 2019, showcasing diverse artistic expressions.
Continued Representation: In 2024, Indian artists will feature prominently in the central exhibition, alongside the Aravani Art Project, symbolizing India’s enduring presence on the global art stage.