A Triumphant Return of the Philippines to the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition

15 April 2015 – The Department of Foreign Affairs hosted a press conference today on the participation of the Philippines in the 56^thVenice Biennale International Art Exhibition, in cooperation with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The press conference highlighted the country’s historic return to the Venice Biennale Art Exhibition after a 51-year hiatus. The Philippine Pavilion will present the curatorial vision of Dr. Patrick Flores. His theme, “Tie a String Around the World,” will feature the works of Jose Tence Ruiz and Manny Montelibano, along with the film “Genghis Khan” by National Artists Manuel Conde and Carlos Francisco.

The Department of Foreign Affairs recognizes the impact of culture in modern diplomacy. It is undoubtedly an effective tool in reflecting the country’s important and rich cultural force and its fundamental values. The 56^th Venice Biennale thus provides an invaluable opportunity to foster greater mutual understanding and more people-to-people exchanges through culture.

In his Welcome Remarks, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario noted how the Philippine Pavilion in the 2015 Venice Biennale would be a great opportunity to showcase the immense talent and creativity of Filipino artists, as well as a source of pride for the country.

“We are confident that the Philippine Pavilion will contribute to the dynamism of the dialogue of ideas and philosophies among artists and visitors to the Venice Biennale,“ stated Secretary del Rosario.

The participation of the Philippines in the 56^th Venice Biennale further cements the Department’s partnership with the Office of Senator  Legarda and the NCCA, under the able leadership of the NCCA Chairman, Dr. Felipe de Leon, Jr. The three agencies comprise the Philippine Art Venice Biennale (PAVB) Coordinating Committee.

The Committee is now  at the final stages of mounting the Philippine Pavilion, in time for its Official Opening on May 08 at the Palazzo Mora in Venice. Towards this effort, the PAVB Coordinating Committee is working closely with the Philippine Embassy in Rome, the Philippine Consulate General in Milan, and the relevant offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Held every other year, the Venice Biennale is the most prestigious gathering of the world’s outstanding artists from different disciplines and perspectives to interpret the relationship between art and the development of the human, social and political world. Some 90 countries will be represented in the 56^th Venice Biennale, where a multitude of art lovers and culture watchers the world over are expected to visit. The international art exhibition will be open to the public from May 09 to November 22. END