For those who believe in numerology, eight is a lucky number.
Spazio Thetis will host a total of eight events for the 54th International Art Exhibition between June and November 2011.
works by Italian Pavilion artists Marco Nereo Rotelli and Renanto Meneghetti, “Kodex” by Belorussian Pavilion artists, “Round the Clock”, two monumental sculptures by Beverly Pepper, the radio art of “Sounds like Venice”, an initiative celebrating Italian Unification entitled “Lo Stato Poetico”, the short film “Hotel Limbo” by American director Marco Snow and a conference entitled the “Soul of Europe”.
The first event, scheduled to open at 12:00 on Wednesday 1 June, is “Round the Clock”, a project curated by Martina Cavallarin that brings together the works of fifteen artists. The central theme of these works is the need adopt a lifestyle that places a greater emphasis on environmental awareness and protection.
The innovative radio art project “Sounds like Venice” will also begin on 1 June – for five days, the temporary installation ROMA RADIO ART FAIR will highlight the protagonists of the 54th International Art Exhibition, transmitting broadcasts, interviews, sounds and voices.
An Italian Pavilion initiative celebrating 150 Years of Italian Unity, curated by Annamaria Orsini and entitled “Lo Stato Poetico”, will open on 3 June.
Marco Nereo Rotelli will be exhibiting his sculptures – the verses of 26 poets carved into large marble "books" scattered about the garden – while Renato Meneghetti will display his almost clinical works involving innovative X-rays. The event will feature his “Sottopelle, il Cristo Morto del Mantegna”, a project directed by Alberto Baralini in which large X-rays revealing the innermost dimension of the famous depiction of Christ are superimposed on Mantegna’s painting.
Spazio Thetis will also host a project by Belorussian artists entitled "Kodex", which will open at 12:30 on 3 June. Curated by Mikhail Barazna, this single sculptural work in plastic and other materials, enhanced with tonal and colour graphics as well as new digital technologies, offers a modern interpretation of text as a form of artistic expression.
The "Soul of Europe” conference is also scheduled for Friday, 3 June. This cultural event, curated by Vittorio Urbani, suits the atmosphere of artistic enthusiasm permeating the city during the Biennale. Experts from the European Parliament, universities, institutions and the world of finance and economics will meet to discuss a timely topic: “Culture, Economy and Social Responsibility”