The launch of the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale, open to the public until 24 November, took place from 17 to 20 April.
With 89 national pavilions, 30 exhibition spaces from foreign public bodies and cultural foundations, over 4,000 accredited journalists and 26,000 visitors in the three pre-opening days, the 2024 Biennale is the largest and most geographically representative cultural event in recent years.
At the awards ceremony, Australia won the Golden Lion for Best National Pavilion with an installation inspired by Aboriginal heritage.
The Jury of the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, comprising Julia Bryan-Wilson (USA), Alia Swastika (Indonesia), Chika Okeke-Agulu (Nigeria), Elena Crippa (Italy), and María Inés Rodríguez (France/Colombia), has decided to present the Golden Lion for Best National Participation to the work named “kith and kin” by Archie Moore, Curator Ellie Buttrose, Commissioner Creative Australia.
This is a significant achievement for Australian art, as it marks the first time in history that an Australian artist has received this accolade.
The International Jury has the pleasure of presenting the following awards:
In this modest yet impactful pavilion, Archie Moore dedicated months to meticulously hand-drawing a vast First Nations family tree with chalk.
Thus, the walls and ceiling of this pavilion bear witness to 65,000 years of history (both recorded and lost), inviting viewers to contemplate the inherent fragility of this mournful archive. In a moat of water, redacted official State records are displayed, reflecting Moore’s intense research as well as the high rates of incarceration of First Nations’ people.
This installation is notable for its distinctive aesthetic, poetic quality, and evocative portrayal of shared experiences and the concealment of historical truths. With his extensive list of names, Moore also suggests the possibility of recovery.
Upon receiving this award, Archie Moore said:
“As the water flows through the canals of Venice to the lagoon, then to the Adriatic Sea, and eventually to the continent of Australia, it connects us all here on Earth. Aboriginal kinship systems include all living things from the environment in a larger network of relatedness. “We are all connected and have a responsibility to care for all living things now and into the future.”
In a statement, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts of the Australian Government, offered the following remarks:
“Archie’s work demonstrates the enduring power of Australian art and storytelling, tracing its roots back to the dawn of civilisation. Australian stories help us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, to gain insight into each other’s experiences, and to foster a more positive perception of our country and its people. “That’s precisely what this artwork aims to achieve.”
We are delighted to announce that Kith and Kin will remain on display at the Biennale until the end of this cultural event, which will run from 20 April to 24 November 2024.
Sito web della mostra: kithandkin.me
Sito web della Biennale di Venezia: https://www.labiennale.org/en/news/biennale-arte-2024-official-awards
Archie Moore in kith and kin 2024 / Australia Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024 / Photographer Andrea Rossetti / © the artist / Image courtesy of the artist and The Commercial
