Behind the Biennale: Francesco Bonami on Why the Venice Biennale Died 12 Years Ago

Italian provocateur Francesco Bonami reflects on his relationship with the Venice Biennale and the storied ’93 Aperto, in which Bonami and fellow curators—including Helena Kontova and Jeffrey Deitch—rocked the status quo by bringing to the fore then-emerging artists such as Matthew Barney, Maurizio Cattelan, John Currin, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Damien Hirst, Philippe Parreno, Rikrit Tiravanija, and Andrea Zittel. The exhibition originally opened to mixed reviews but would later become a cult event of the ’90s and an inspiration to Biennale curators Okwui Enwezor and Massimiliano Gioni. Bonami was appointed curator for the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003, what he proclaims was “the last Biennale.”

Directed by Oscar Boyson.

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