Liechtenstein shows up at the Venice Biennale ... with a miniature pavilion

Liechtenstein is not included in the list of countries that have an official national participation in the Venice Biennale 2022, but the small Alpine principality still wanted to make its presence felt by bringing to the lagoon a... miniature clandestine pavilion. Indeed, on Thursday, April 21, Liechtenstein presented itself to the international art world with the Liechtenstein Breakfast event and, more importantly, with a miniature pavilion. Diplomat Manuel Frick, Minister of Society and Culture, attended the pre-opening days of the 59th Venice Biennale titled and together with Letizia Ragaglia, director of the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, presented Candida Höfer ’s major fall exhibition and the “Liechtenstein Pavilion” of the association Visate Liechtenstein at Liechtenstein Breakfast.

From September 30, 2022, the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein will indeed present, for the first time in collaboration with the Hilti Art Foundation,an extensive exhibition by internationally renowned German artist Candida Höfer (Cologne, 1944). The artist has turned her photographic gaze to Liechtenstein and will create a new series of works this fall that will enter into an intense dialogue with works in the collections of both institutions. Director Letizia Ragaglia was pleased to be able to present the resulting works to the public for the first time, “It is a great honor for us that Candida Höfer has created a new series of works in Liechtenstein especially for the presentation.”

In addition, the professional association of visual artists “Visarte Liechtenstein eV” presented a “Liechtenstein Pavilion” wandering through the streets of Venice, with which Minister Frick subsequently visited pavilions of different countries. The pavilion, which was thus taken around and shown to the other national pavilions, consisted of a transportable and openable cube housing 28 miniature works by as many Visarte members. It can be opened like a treasure chest and transformed into an abstract exhibition landscape intended to offer an insight into Liechtenstein’s diverse artistic activities.

As part of Liechtenstein Breakfast, Government Minister Frick exchanged views with the guests present on various cultural issues, especially with Federal Councillor Alain Berset, who accepted the invitation of the Government Council. The Governing Council also attended the opening of the Austrian and Swiss pavilions and, at the invitation of the Italian Minister of Culture, the Ukrainian pavilion, particularly as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine. “The Biennale is of fundamental importance for the networking of cultural actors,” stressed Manuel Frick. “Also this year we were able to cultivate international exchanges with various countries and thus increase the visibility of Liechtenstein’s artistic and cultural landscape.”

Pictured: the miniature pavilion of Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein shows up at the Venice Biennale ... with a miniature pavilion

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