The 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia Showcases “The Milk of Dreams”

Considered one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world, the international contemporary art exhibition makes its return. Continuing its tradition of choosing an intellectual to spear the show, this year the intellectual soul chosen is none other than New York-based and Italian-raised Cecilia Alemani. 

The curator and artistic director has opened the doors to an exhibition titled “The Milk of Dreams” inspired by a book written by author, Leonora Carrington. Influenced by the funny yet horrifying children’s book, she demonstrates a “world where people can change, be transformed and become something or someone else”.

Aside from her critical themes she showcases at this year’s exhibition, Alemani also brings together the works of 213 artists from 58 countries. With an unprecedented majority of them being female artists. The LA Times asked her in an interview if this was a decision she has made from the beginning and she goes into great detail about her thinking: 

“It’s the result of a long process. I did not start by saying, I want to do 90% or whatever women artists. As a curator I’ve often worked with artists who are women. I think some of the most interesting artists working today are women. I’m very conscious this exhibition happens in Italy and not in New York City; we’re still quite behind here when it comes to gender equality. And especially representation, you still see lots of museums and galleries that just do shows of male artists. While I don’t really care so much about numbers and quotas, I think I had the opportunity to send a strong message that you can do a good show with a majority of women while the 125 years of the past history of the Biennale have been driven mainly by male artists. I think it’s a reflection of the world and the society we live in now.”

The exhibition will be on view through November 27 and is set to continue the Biennale conversation in a reanimated and provocative way once again.

-Esther Marcos