Mircea Cantor, No Title, 2004. Courtesy Rennie Collection. Photo © Blaine Campbell
The official Azerbaijan Pavilion for the 56th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia 2015.
Vita Vitale (Vital Life) considers how human activity impacts upon the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystem, and the repercussions for our future survival. Illuminating the ways in which we have transformed the planet, the exhibition explores the effects of plastic pollutants, mass consumerism, climate change, depleting resources, deteriorating landscapes, rising sea levels, and endangered species. While some of the exhibition’s artists and scientists directly address environmental concerns, others do so more laterally. However, they all challenge us to confront the potential dangers of ignoring the messages conveyed, while simultaneously suggesting creative tools and ideas for change. Vita Vitale is curated by Artwise - Susie Allen, Laura Culpan, Dea Vanagan.
Exhibiting Artists: Edward Burtynsky, Mircea Cantor, Loris Cecchini, Gordon Cheung, Khalil Chishtee, Tony Cragg, Laura Ford, Noémie Goudal, Siobhán Hapaska, Paul Huxley, IDEA Laboratory and Leyla Aliyeva, Chris Jordan with Rebecca Clark and Helena S.Eitel, Tania Kovats, Aida Mahmudova, Sayyora Muin, Jacco Olivier, Julian Opie, Julian Perry, Mike Perry, Bas Princen, Stephanie Quayle, Ugo Rondinone, Graham Stevens, Diana Thater, Andy Warhol, Bill Woodrow, Erwin Wurm, Rose Wylie
Commissioner: Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Baku, Azerbaijan; Created by: IDEA Campaign, supported by SOS – Save Our Species; Exhibition consultant: Emin Mammadov, Art Advisor of the Heydar Aliyev Centre; Italian Coordinator of both Azerbaijan exhibitions: PDG Arte Communications, Carlotta Scarpa; IDEA Laboratory: Rachel Armstrong, ecoLogicStudio, Julian Melchiorri, Mike Perry, Studio Swine; Scientific curator: Professor of Experimental Architecture, Newcastle University and 2010 Senior TED Fellow, Rachel Armstrong; Technical and logistical consultant & coordination: PARTNER Culture+Projects GmbH, Horst Campman; AV technical direction: KS Objectiv, Simeon Corless; Book editor and writer: Dr. Alison Bracker; Press: ARTPRESS – Barbara Green & Wayra Schübel; STUDIO ESSECI – Roberta Barbaro
For more information visit: www.artwisecurators.com and www.azerbaijanvenicebiennale.com
Installation view: Paul Huxley, Where do we come from?, Where are we going?, 2015, wall drawing. Courtesy the artist. Photo by Ugo Carmeni
Mircea Cantor & Dea Vanagan, with Mircea's work, Rosace in Venice
Installation view: Edward Burtynsky and Loris Cecchini. Courtesy Flowers Gallery / the artist and Galleria Continua San Gimignano/Beijing/Les Moulins. Photo by Ugo Carmeni
Installation view: IDEA Laboratory, curated by Rachel Armstrong (pictured: plastiglomerate experiment and ecoLogicStudio)
Installation view: Siobhán Hapaska, A Great Miracle Needs to Happen There, 2011 Olive trees ‘Olea europaea’, lead free solder, brass, steel, cast iron 9 elements. Courtesy Hidde van Seggelen, London; Kerlin Gallery, Dublin; Tanya Bonakdar; Andrehn Schiptjenko. Photo by Ugo Carmeni
Installation view: Julian Opie, Chris Jordan & Rebecca Clark, Tony Cragg, Bill Woodrow. Photo by Ugo Carmeni
Vita Vitale catalogue, designed by Peter Willberg
Installation shot: Ugo Rondinone, Silence 2013, cast aluminium, white enamel, 550 x 480 x 460 cm. Courtesy Sadie Coles HQ , London. Photo © Ugo Carmeni 2015
Marina Abramovic & Dea in Venice
Installation view: Stephanie Quayle, Jenga, 2015. Courtesy the artist and TJ Boulting. Photo by Ugo Carmeni
