Scotland will not be represented at next year’s Venice Biennale after Scotland + Venice, the arts body responsible for presenting Scotland at the prestigious event, decided to “pause” the project in 2024 to allow a period of reflection and examination”.
The cancellation next year is not a decision to withdraw from La Biennale, underlines a spokesperson for Scotland + Venice. “We expect the review process to be underway in the summer of 2023 and participation opportunities will be widely advertised. At the same time, we will work with partners to create funded opportunities for artists, curators and producers to engage with La Biennale [in Venice] in 2024,” she says.
Some Scottish arts professionals, however, have expressed concern. Katrina Brown, Director of The Common Guild in Glasgow, said: “It’s a shame after 20 years of Scotland + Venice, but it reflects the precariousness of cultural funding in Scotland. It should be borne in mind that as a collateral event, rather than an official pavilion, in Venice, Scotland + Venice must pay a substantial fee to the Venice Biennale. Taking a break isn’t a bad thing, but hopefully it’s not a full stop. The Common Guild organized the 2013 presentation, showing works by Corin Sworn, Duncan Campbell and Hayley Tompkins.
Robert Davis, professor of religious and cultural education at the University of Glasgow, tweeted in response to the announcement: “Does anyone at Holyrood [seat of the Scottish Parliament] please take charge »
Scotland + Venice is a partnership between various organisations, including the British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland, the government-funded development body for the arts and creative industries in Scotland.
The Scotland + Venice spokesperson adds that in the current financial environment, it seems necessary to review the current delivery model. “The decision also recognizes the impact the project has on the environment and the need to consider how it can be delivered in a more ethical and sustainable way in the future. Next steps will include a process of sector engagement and consultation to ensure the project meets sector and partner ambitions and is implemented in an ethical and sustainable manner.
Alberta Whittle represented Scotland in Venice at the 2022 Biennalee; she presents new works in the exhibition Plunging under a waxing moon, the dance calls us to the Holburne Museum in Bath (until May 8). His biggest exhibition to date will launch next month at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh (April 1 to January 7, 2024).
The Scotland + Venice architecture project at the Architecture Biennale (May 20-November 26), titled A fragile correspondence, will proceed as planned.
