The excitement is starting to mount! After months of planning by Commissioner Susan Mains, Curator Daniele Radini Tedeschi and all of the selected artists, the Grenada Pavilion will soon be open at the International Art Exhibition of Biennale di Venezia in its 60th edition.
The artists have started their travels to the venue, and for the days leading up to the opening will be installing the work. It is no easy task. Venice is a labyrinth of canals and narrow walking alleys with most transportation involving the vaporetto. The romantic pictures of the gondolas are for visitors, not for the hardworking people of that island.
Jason de Caires Taylor will show his artistic sculptures in aluminum, similar to the figures that grace Grenada’s underwater sculpture park. Also, a photographic chronicle of Vicissitudes (the Ring of Children) will tell the story of the growth of the sponges and corals near the reefs of Molinere. This new growth on the sculptures was experimental when he started in 2005, but now his technique has been clearly established as a worldwide phenomenon in his underwater sculpture parks.
Frederika Adam explores in large format photos a very close inspection of Grenada’s flora. Her work takes some time and inspection to absorb. The abstraction caused by the very close views are suggestive, and leaves interpretation to the viewer.
Alma Fakhre’s work is part and parcel of the spiritual world. Guided by intuition and her love of colour, she fabricates mixed media panels that draw in the viewer and imbue them with a sense of wonder.
Benaiah Matheson’s project with the TAMCC art students will culminate in a large, multi-faceted tapestry. The story of town to island will unfold.
Perhaps the most riveting is the very personal work of Suelin Low Chew Tung. In her mixed media presentation, she explores her own story of living with cancer. The foreigner, this time, is within.
The theme of Grenada’s pavilion, No Man is an Island, gives more than a hint of our inter-connectedness, and the recognition of the strength of those bonds. Also, following the theme of la Biennale, Foreigners Everywhere, there is provided an opportunity for introspection of a worldwide view of who we are as small island people, and how we fit in and stand out.
Asher Mains MFA has been guiding the underlying research for the presentation, and often relies on the inspiration of French-Martiniquan Poet and Philosopher Eduoard Glissant. Mains writes in an essay in the catalogue, “Glissant’s infinite volumes imply the more we engage in relation to others, the greater potential we can realise as humans, whether the other is ecological, epidemiological, botanical, existential, or interpersonal.”
Joining for the opening in Venice will be our Government of Grenada official representatives — Randall Dolland, Chairman of the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) and Oliver Benoit, Chairman of the Grenada National Museum. During the press conference, Dolland will present to our curator a copy of the 50th Anniversary of Independence book. It is a significant show of support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to have their presence along with international presidents and ministers of state from 88 nations of the world.
Grenada may be among the smallest countries there, but certainly will make a solid impression.
The local sponsorship from the National Lotteries Authority, the Grenada Tourism Authority, the Grenada Arts Council, the McGuinness Foundation, Nick Browne, Century 21 Grenada, Act: Art and Design, Art House 473, and Insurance Consultants of Grenada has enabled the travel and shipping of art for these artists. For the next 7 months, Grenada will have art as its ambassador to the thousands of visitors who will be in Venice, and perhaps lure them to visit Grenada Art Island. You can follow along on the website http://grenadavenice.org
Grenada Arts Council
Great news. I am amazed by the beauty and the level of sophistication in the art projects in Grenada. I must visit soon.
Very interesting and intreaguing. Would love to visit the exhibit.
Congratulations to Grenada and everyone who made this possible.