MODEM MILAN WOMEN'S Spring Summer 2020

EDITION DEDICATED TO “MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIME” 58TH INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION OF LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA This Venice Biennial art exhibition edition it’s named after phrase that has been invoked in speeches by Western politicians for over a hundred years as an ‘ancient Chinese curse’, even though such a curse never actually existed. Curator Ralph Rugoff describes this ‘counterfeit curse’ as an ‘ uncertain artefact... at once suspect and rich in meaning’, noting that it suggests ‘potential lines of exploration that are worth pursuing at present, especially when the “interesting times” it evokes seem to be with us once again .’ Ralph Rugoff has declared: “ This exhibition include artworks that reflect upon precarious aspects of existence today, including different threats to key traditions, institutions and relationships of the “post-war order .” ... ‘ But let us acknowledge at the outset that art does not exercise its forces in the domain of politics. Art cannot stem the rise of nationalist movements and authoritarian governments in different parts of the world, for instance, nor can it alleviate the tragic fate of displaced peoples across the globe (whose numbers now represent almost one percent of the world’s entire population ) .’ « But in an indirect fashion, perhaps art can be a kind of guide for how to live and think in ‘interesting times.. .» NB : 79 invited artists from more than 50 countries. On cover : A work of Zanele Muholi . Muholi is a visual activist and photographer born in Umlazi, Durban, and living in Johannesburg. Muholi’s self-proclaimed mission is ‘to re-write a black queer and trans visual history of South Africa for the world to know of our resi- stance and existence at the height of hate crimes in SA and beyond’. Muholi co-founded the Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) in 2002, and in 2009 founded Inkanyiso (www.inkanyiso. org), a forum for queer and visual (activist) media. They continue to train and co-facilitate photography workshops for young women in the townships. Info Public Venice, Giardini and Arsenale, until 24 November 2019 Closed on Mondays (except on 2 September, 18 November) Opening times: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Arsenale : 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance sale > www.labiennale.org (special fees available) Ezio Barbaro & Modem team thank their partners and wish a great season...