monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
works by monica bonvicini in ‘illuminations’ at venice art biennale 2011
image © designboom

‘illuminations,’ the international curated exhibition of the venice art biennale 2011, features four works by venice native monica bonvicini.
participating in her third biennale, the artist has created a piece specifically for this exhibition titled, ’15 steps to the virgin.’ 
a series of three mixed-media sculptures, the artwork is based on the paintings of tintoretto that curator bice curiger chose as thematic cornerstone.

‘I did a large installation that draws on certain stairways painted by the venetian artist,’ the artist explains,
‘the idea was to create a sort of stage with a powerful perspective twisted by a kind of ‘sea storm’ of stairways.’

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
’15 steps to the virgin’ by monica bonvicini
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
’15 steps to the virgin’ alternate stairway
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
’15 steps to the virgin’ installation view
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
’15 steps to the virgin’ stairway detail
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
’15 steps to the virgin’ alternate stairway detail
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
’15 steps to the virgin’ installation view
image © designboom

the exhibition also featured two incarnations of bonvicini’s light work, ‘blind protection.’
suspended from the ceiling, both the works are made up of a bundle of fluorescent lights surrounding a transparent PVC tube,
emitting a bright light from which briefly blinds the viewer.

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
‘blind protection’ by monica bonvicini
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
‘blind protection’ detail
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
‘pink curtain’ by monica bonvicini
image © designboom

the last work, ‘pink curtain,’ features an oversized fabric panel covering one of the large space’s wall.
with a design of paperclips and safety pins, the work renders an abstract gridded pattern that loosely resembling a chain-link fence.

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
‘pink curtain’ detail
image © designboom

monica bonvicini at venice art biennale 2011
interview with artist monica bonvicini
image © designboom


monica bonvicini elaborates on her exhibition
unfortunately this video is available in italian language only
video © biennale channel

the 54th international art exhibition in venice, italy, runs until november 27, 2011.