The Kunsthaus Bregenz will celebrate its commemoration in 2022, and to honor the event, it is offering an exhibition in Venice during this year’s Biennale. This exhibition by Anna Boghiguian and Otobong Nkanga, two artists from the KUB’s exhibition program, at the « Scuola di San Pasquale », a space dating from the 16th century and allocated until July 04, 2022. This exhibition in Venice will complement the program in Bregenz where both artists address issues of political obligation.
Otobong Nkanga currently has a popular exhibition at the Kunsthaus, where a tree runs through all four floors of the structure. In addition, a uniquely designed embroidered artwork spans all floors. On the lowest level, a glittering, mesmerizing embroidery offers a perspective on the distant ocean, while the most remarkable floor features a devouring wild forest.
Tapestry Installation view KUB in Venice, ground floor Scuola di San Pasquale, 2022
Photo: Fulvio Orsenigo Courtesy of the artist, In situ, Paris, Mendes Wood DM, Brussels, and Lumen Travo Gallery, Amsterdam
© Otobong Nkanga, Kunsthaus Bregenz
The peril of nature, but also the efforts to save it, are made evident in strikingly designed spaces.
When she has, Anna Boghiguian focuses on social and political struggles. On spatially situated contours of compressed wood, she paints striking scenes of individuals, groups and histories.
For the Kunsthaus Bregenz, Anna Boghiguian points out Aribert Heim, an Austrian Nazi criminal who was allowed to reside harmoniously in Boghiguian’s former neighborhood in Cairo until 1992.
The themes used by the two artists can arrive at different degrees of importance in the historical setting of Venice. The city, which gave impetus to the Crusades and colonization, is both located in a tidal pond compromised by natural damage and, above all, an early hero in the fight against pandemics, being the beginning of the word quarantine, which initially involved 40 days of detachment.
The Kunsthaus Bregenz seizes the open door of Venice to present its amazing exhibition history. In 2005, an incredible series of events concerning the Kunsthaus Bregenz was presented in New York. Artists from the exhibition program participated in panels and conversations, including visitors such as Daniel Buren, Olafur Eliasson, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Douglas Gordon, Pierre Huyghe, Doug Aitken, Gerhard Merz, Anish Kapoor and Santiago Sierra.
An initiative like the one from long ago is introduced for Venice. Selected artists from KUB‘s exhibition program will participate in presentations, as well as outreach and advice, events and gatherings. The open house will be used to address controversial issues such as post-expansionism, environmental emergency, advanced impact, guidance, and, finally, the Corona pandemic.
The two artists representing Austria at the Biennale, Jakob Lena Knebl and Ashley Hans Scheirl, who were exhibited in Bregenz during the coldest period of the year 2020/21, as well as selected artists, for example Dora Budor, Jordan Wolfson, Peter Zumthor and many others, are also invited to contribute.