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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Help, Where to Begin? A Guide to the Venice Biennale

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The Venice Biennale, a major event for discovering new art, attracted over 27,000 visitors during its opening days.
  • The event features diverse exhibitions across the Giardini, Arsenale, and various city locations, requiring at least three days to explore.
  • Belgian artist Miet Warlop's performance 'It never SSST' in the Belgian Pavilion is highlighted as a unique, multidisciplinary experience.

The Venice Biennale, a premier event for contemporary art, has once again drawn massive crowds, with over 27,000 visitors, including 3,700 journalists, attending its opening days. This year's 61st edition, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, aimed for a more deliberate pace with a focus on poetry and spirituality, as seen in Philip Aguirre y Otegui's work 'Gaalgui Shelter' in the main exhibition 'In minor keys'.

Gaalgui Shelter (2026) by Belgian artist Philip Aguirre y Otegui in the main exhibition 'In minor keys'.

— Article TextMention of Philip Aguirre y Otegui's work within the main exhibition.

However, the sheer scale of the art world and Venice's ambition to welcome over half a million art lovers this summer mean that "slowing down" is a relative concept. The Biennale remains a grand spectacle, offering something for every taste, with museums and institutions presenting special exhibitions in stunning palazzi. To navigate the overwhelming offerings, visitors are advised to start in the central 'Giardini' for key national pavilions before moving to the Arsenale and other scattered venues across the city.

It is for the first time that a theater maker is working in the Belgian Pavilion.

— Article TextIntroducing Miet Warlop's role in the Belgian Pavilion.

A minimum of three days is recommended to experience the Biennale without succumbing to chaos. Among the personal highlights is the Belgian Pavilion, featuring performance artist Miet Warlop. Warlop, internationally acclaimed for her energetic, often absurd, and musical performances, brings together various disciplines, including visual arts and music, with contributions from artists like Wietse Tange and Melvin Slabbinck.

Miet Warlop (48), internationally acclaimed for her extremely energetic, often absurd and very musical performances, actually started as a visual artist.

— Article TextDescribing Miet Warlop's background and artistic style.

Warlop's ambition extended to inviting other artists to collaborate, resulting in a performance described as a ritual that leaves the viewer deeply moved. Her work 'It never SSST' builds upon elements seen in her earlier hit 'One Song,' showcasing a consistent artistic vision that blends different creative forms into a compelling experience.

With Warlop, many disciplines come together, also in Venice. Her ambition was also to let other artists in her work for the Biennale, such as Wietse Tange, Melvin Slabbinck, Rahmat Emonds and Micha Volders, who together provided the fantastic musical score.

— Article TextDetailing the collaborative nature of Miet Warlop's Biennale project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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