Moldova's first Venice Biennale pavilion: 'We want to imagine a new narrative of peace'

Moldova makes its official debut at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale with the project "In the Thousand and Second Night." The installation, a collaboration between artist Pavel Brăila and curator Adelina Luft, is presented in the Santa Veneranda space within the Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia.

The work features suspended carpets carried by drones within a church dome, accompanied by the sounds of war. This installation delves into themes of conflict, the domestic sphere, and how technology increasingly shapes daily life. Brăila, a prominent figure in Moldova's contemporary art scene, has previously exhibited at institutions like the Tate Gallery and Neue Nationalgalerie.

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We want to imagine a new narrative of peace.

Adelina Luft, who is based in Bucharest after living in Indonesia, described the installation as being conceived in "low frequencies," aligning with the Biennale's theme, "In Minor Keys." In an interview, she explained that the project uses the symbolism of carpets and the sound of drones in a religious setting to imagine "a new narrative of peace."

Luft detailed how the project evolved from an initial idea for Romania's pavilion. When that opportunity shifted, Moldova's Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had supported the original bid, seized the chance for Moldova to participate officially. The concept was adapted for the new venue, moving from the official pavilions in Giardini to the unique setting of a church.

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The installation was conceived in the register of 'low frequencies,' in accordance with this year's Biennale theme, 'In Minor Keys.'