Bangladeshi artists debut at Venice Biennale

Bangladeshi artists debut at Venice Biennale

Faizul Khan Tanim attended an exhibition hosted by the Italian Ambassador showcasing Bangladeshi art participating in the international event

Venice Bienalle 2011 is the first time Bangladeshi artists are taking part in this international event.

For the artists participating in the Biennale, this is a stepping stone towards making their mark on the global art world by setting a precedent, this will enable local artists to take part in such events in the future and endeavour to invigorate and energise the local art scene.

The art chosen to represent Bangladesh at the 2011 Biennnale are based on the theme that is said to be emblematic of our times, exemplified by the limbo of purgatory – that suspended existence that is neither heaven nor hell. The project is thus called ‘Parables’.

The six artists taking part are Mahbubur Rahman, Kabir Ahmed, Masum Chisti, Imran Hossain Piplu, Promotesh Das Pulak and Tayeba Begum Lipi. Bangladesh’s participation at the 2011 Bienalle means the artist’s work will be seen by a wide range of viewers and art lovers, including art critics, dealers, curators, collectors, journalists, museum and gallery directors and people relevant in the art world. This major platform for global arts exchange has served as a springboard for many young artists who have since become celebrated names in the art world and the same is hoped for Bangladeshi art and artists.

At the exhibition held at the Italian Ambassador’s residence recently, along with the chairman of the Bengal Foundation, Abul Khair, the paintings that caught our eye were Panoramic Feelings by Najmun Nahar Keya, Tradition by Abdus Shakoor, Fish-2 by K M A Quayyum, Joyous Sufia-1 by Farida Zaman, The Catch by Syed Jahangir, the series Encapsulated by Promotesh Das Pulak, Orchid by Ahmed Shamsuddoha among the work showcased.

Artist Hashem Khan was excited as he spoke at the event, with the prospects that participation at the Biennale opens up for Bangladeshi art and artists. He mentioned how the Bengal Foundation and the Italian Embassy have played a major role in enabling Bangladeshi artists to take part, “It is extremely expensive to participate in the Venice Biennale and when Bangladesh's wish to participation was fading, it was lit up by the patronage, collaboration and support from the Embassy of Bangladesh in Italy, the Italian Embassy in Bangladesh, Bengal Foundation, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh.”

A portion of the fund was intended to be generated from the sale of paintings during the the exhibition that was called ‘The Venetian Window of Bangladesh’.

The Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino is well-known for being a connoisseur of the arts; he stated why he became involved in the endeavour that has led to Bangladesh’s participation in the event. “I wanted to host this event in order to have such great and diverse painting of Bangladesh under one roof. The Venice Biennale is a great opportunity and I want Bangladesh to portray its best because this is a country of great art and culture and the whole world must know it.”

The event, in Italian, Biennale di Venezia is called the Venice Biennial in English and is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years (in odd years) in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it, as is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years.

A dance section, the ‘International Festival of Contemporary Dance’, was established in 1999. The Biennale was first held in 1865 and has played an important role in the presentation, development, production and visibility of artists throughout the world.

The last Bienalle, held in 2009 was the 53rd and is said to have attracted record number of visitors, nearly 4 million people visited and the event saw 77 nations participating. This Bienalle brings visual arts of and from different regions under one international arena.

Artists are selected to represent their countries from their various pavilions housing not just their work but also include visual and experiential creative works.

The 54th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale is to be directed by the art historian and critic Bice Curiger, with previews from June 1-3, and the official opening will take place on June 3; the exhibitions will open to the public from June 4 and run till November 27, 2011.

The event will be presented by Paolo Baratta and Bice Curiger in a series of press conferences to take place in March.

For further details see www.labiennale.org