U.S. Pavilion

Often referred to as the Olympics of contemporary art, the Venice Biennale (La Biennale di Venezia) has, for over a century, been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Since its founding in 1895, it has promoted contemporary culture, new ideas, and artistic trends through major international exhibitions. The 54th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale will take place June 4 – November 27, 2011.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art has been selected to present the work of the Puerto Rico-based artist collaborative Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla at the U.S. Pavilion.

Six new works by Allora & Calzadilla will premiere at the 2011 Biennale, transforming the interior and exterior of the U.S. Pavilion into a dynamic and interactive space. The new commissions by Allora & Calzadilla will employ a variety of artistic practices to pose important questions about the relationships among art, politics, and international identity. These multimedia works will utilize performance, sculpture, video and sound elements to highlight the role of art in framing and exploring complex social issues such as national identity, democracy, militarism, and freedom. Comprised of works developed specifically in response to the U.S. Pavilion site, the exhibition will analyze contemporary geopolitics through the lens of spectacular nationalistic and competitive enterprises such as the Olympic Games, international commerce, war, the military-industrial complex and even the Biennale itself.

Lisa D. Freiman, Chair of the IMA's Department of Contemporary Art, will serve as commissioner of the U.S. Pavilion.

The U.S. Pavilion is presented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, which supports and manages the official United States participation at selected international exhibitions.

U.S. Pavilion
Within the Castello Gardens that host the national Pavilions of the Venice Biennale, the US Pavilion is a Palladian-style structure designed by William Adams Delano and Chester Holmes Aldrich and opened in 1930.
Acquired by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in 1986, the U.S. Pavilion is presented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, which supports and manages the official United States participation at selected international exhibitions.