The very successful opening of the Grenada Pavilion in Venice at the 28th Architectural Biennale in May was indeed a proud moment for the team that put it together.
A whole “crew” of people contributed to assuring this success of this pavilion that presented the wooden boat building of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and Venice.
One of the joys of success is reporting back to those who made it possible. Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture Ron Redhead met with part of the team on 27 June. He was presented with the official catalogue of Biennale di Venezia, which included Grenada’s mention in the National Pavilions section. This beautiful commemorative catalogue is a well cherished prize and seals for the future Grenada’s history in the international art community.
The team was led by Commissioner Susan Mains, who recognised the role of the Ministry of Culture over the past 10 years of Grenada’s involvement with Venice. Veteran of the 2017 pavilion Milton Williams, shared how his installation art came about, taking him all over the world in his airline job, and using the opportunity to collect the sardine tin lids that made up the hanging art. Samuel Ogilvie told the Minister about his first trip to Venice just as an observer in the 2019 youth intensive programme, and how it ignited his creative process to then become a participating artist in 2022 and 2023. Asher Mains has played an integral role not only as an artist, but as a researcher and writer for Caribbean art.
Besides talking about this 2023 Pavilion, the intention to also have a 2024 Pavilion at Biennale di Venezia was discussed. The Minister committed his 100% support to making this happen. The Grenada Arts Council will put out an open call to seek application from the artists who will be the participants on their site, http://grenadaartscouncil.com.
The many sponsors and supporters who made this Grenada Pavilion happen can certainly be satisfied that they have made a big impact. The names can be found on http://grenadavenice.org. The current pavilion continues in Venice until 26 November, and is free to all who would like to visit. It is a point of contact in the heart of Europe to lure visitors to come and enjoy Grenada.
GAC
Good to remind Mr. Redhead that he is supposedly head of Culture, too, not solely Youth and Sports….