*Dit artikel is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.*

Last week, the global art world descended onto the sinking city of Venice for the opening of La Biennale di Venezia (17-19 April ‘24). This prestigious art event, dating back to 1895, sees over 85 countries from all over the world present their best and brightest artists. With this edition’s theme being Foreigners Everywhere, the exhibits focus on topics around migration, but also generate attention for queer, indigenous, and folk artists, often treated as foreigners in their own land. Still on view to the public until 24 November ‘24, here are some of the highlights selected by the Nxt Museum team.

1. Thresholds – Yael Bartana & Ersan Mondtag

Location: German Pavilion at Giardini

Still from “Monument eines unbekannten Menschen.” Ersan Mondtag.

Out of all the Biennale’s presentations, the German pavilion was definitely amongst the ones that impressed the most. Housing both Yael Bartana’s work Light to the Nations & Ersan Mondtag’s work Monument eines unbekannten Menschen, the pavilion focuses on a space beyond the nation-state spatial constructs. In a time of global crises and wars, can we imagine a space of solidarity beyond borders? In Bartana’s video installations, humans are transported to unknown galaxies on a spaceship – an open ended journey designed for collective healing. Mondtag taps into his family’s history. His monumental installation and performance piece is based on his grandfather’s life, who moved from Anatolia (Turkey) to West Berlin to work in an asbestos company and died early as a result of his toxic workplace. The three-level, walk-in structure transports you back to the 60s. Occupied by three performers that seem oblivious to the spectators’ gaze, you’re in for an eerie, yet powerful experience.

2. Attila cataracte ta source aux pieds des pitons verts finira dans la grande mer – Julien Creuzet

Location: French Pavilion at Giardini

Julien Creuzet, Attila cataracte ta source aux pieds des pitons verts finira dans la grande mer, matoutou falaise, 2024. © Julien Creuzet.

Julien Creuzet created a Gesamtkunstwerk, based on the sight of the matoutou falaise. This tarantula, endemic to Martinique, is considered a gift when it appears. Creuzet’s installation, which combines computer-generated video work, sound, sculptures and textile, feels like being immersed in poetry. Surrounded by a colourful world full of movement, we were in awe of this multisensory experience.

3. Machine Boys, Karimah Ashadu

Location: International Exhibition at Arsenale

Still from Machine Boys, Karimah Ashadu

Machine Boys is an impressive video work about motorcycle taxis, known as okada, in the megacity of Lagos. It explores the Nigerian patriarchal ideals, by highlighting the duality between the masculinity portrayed by the okada riders and their vulnerability, related to the ban Nigeria imposed on this type of transportation. Beautifully capturing both the self-assured presence of the riders, and the daily struggles of this subculture, it came as no surprise that Ashadu was awarded with the Biennale’s Silver Lion for a Promising Young Artist.

4. Liminal – Pierre Huyghe

Location: Pinault Collection’s Punta della Dogana

Pierre Huyghe. Liminal. Palazzo Grassi – Punta della Dogana website

While there’s so many amazing presentations to see within the Biennale programme, it’s also well worth venturing into the rest of the city to enjoy the collateral exhibitions on view. Pierre Huyghe’s solo exhibition blew us away. Visiting Liminal is like stepping into a new – and very dark – reality, occupied by human and non-human creatures. You encounter large-scale projections, aquariums filled with rocks and living crabs, masked performers, fog, light and strange objects. The artist invites you to explore speculative fictions, where you get to feel like the ‘other’ in an alternative reality. A must-see!

5. swell of spæc(i)es – Josèfa Ntjam, by LAS Art Foundation

Location: Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia

Josèfa Ntjam, swell of spæc(i)es, 2024. Installation view at Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia as part of Collateral Event of the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2024. Commissioned by LAS Art Foundation. Courtesy the artist; LAS Art Foundation. © ADAGP, Paris, 2024. Photo: Andrea Rossetti.

We took a deep dive into the water with talented young artist Josèfa Ntjam – and loved it! Ntjam creates a world in which plankton forms the glue between the ocean and outer space, biological and mythical realms, possible pasts and alternative futures. Using AI (artificial intelligence) and other digital tools, the artist creates new species out of models of marine life, scans of West African statues and photographs witnessing decolonial independence movements. By embedding these beings in marine and cosmic landscapes, Josèfa envisions new mythological stories for the audience to explore. 

6. Sebastian – performance by Miles Greenberg, by Museum Berggruen – Neue Nationalgalerie

Location: Palazzo Malipiero

Miles Greenberg performing “Sebastian” at the opening of the Venice Biennale. Photography by Francesco Allegretto.

We felt honoured to witness the impactful, durational performance Sebastian by Miles Greenberg. Inspired by the iconography of Saint Sebastian, as well as Venice’s storied blackamoor motifs, the artist stood atop a rock, silver arrows piercing his skin, for no less than 8 hours. While oil slowly trickled down for the ceiling, mixing with the black paint covering Greenberg’s skin, the artist’s body was continuously monitored by six survey cameras, mounted on robotic arms. The performance is Greenberg’s response to the depiction of certain religious and mythological figures throughout western art history. Although no longer live on view to the public, we highly encourage anyone to explore this special piece through online articles and registrations.