The Italian Cultural Institute in Paris has hosted the traditional press conference presenting the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition. This year’s theme will be “The Encyclopedic Palace”.
Direct link with the French cultural tradition
As he welcomed the large audience of over 100 journalists and art experts, the Italian Ambassador to Paris, Giandomenico Magliano, underscored the direct link between the theme of the Biennale and the French cultural tradition. Indeed, it was in Paris itself that the “encyclopedic’” philosophical concept took root. He also pointed out the role of the Biennale in intercultural dialogue and in the education processes shaping the younger generations.
88 countries taking part – including the Vatican
The President of the Biennale, Paolo Baratta, accompanied by Massimo Cioni, Curator of the International Exhibition, and in the presence of Italian Cultural Institute Director Marina Valensise, illustrated the event. The Biennale will run from 1 June to 24 November 2013, with 88 countries taking part, some of the for the first time. Newcomers include the Republic of Kosovo, the Bahamas, Angola, Paraguay, Kuwait, the Maldives, Ivory Coast, Bahrain and Vatican City State.
With its theme of “The Encyclopedic Palace”, the international exhibition aims to develop a highly innovative approach to knowledge by examining the sources and inspiration that fuel creativity and the arts. At the end of the presentation Paolo Baratta and Massimo Cioni were received at the Residence for a working lunch with art critics from some of the leading French media organisations.
