Exhibition: Interesting Times in Venice News from the School of Art, Architecture and Design

The exhibition shows creative responses from Fellows of the British Council, following their month in Venice during the Biennale Arte 2019.

Date: 09 October 2020

Interesting Times in Venice, a new exhibition at London Met's School of Art, Architecture and Design, includes work from 38 students, graduates and artists from across the UK who participated in the Venice Fellowships programme in 2019.  Each exhibit is a creative response to the 2019 Biennale’s curatorial theme May You Live in Interesting Times, developed by the artists during their month-long steward-research fellowship. The exhibition runs from 5 October - 11 December 2020.

Inspired by the British Pavilion (which in 2019 was represented by the artist Cathy Wilkes), the Biennale experience, and their time in Venice, the Fellows used their research time to develop their studies, skills and practice. The work on display includes paintings, photos, prints and sculptures as well as QR codes to access online content and view zines and essays.

Interesting Times in Venice can be visited from 12 October by booking a timed appointment on Eventbrite. Strict social distancing measures will be in place at the venue, with hand sanitiser stations provided and the touching of artefacts prohibited. The building is also part of the NHS Track and Trace check-in network. For those unable to attend the exhibition, a virtual tour will be available on the London Metropolitan University website soon.

The Venice Fellowships are a unique opportunity for students and researchers to spend a month in Venice during one of the world’s most significant art and architecture biennales. Last year, Fine Art BA student Layan Harman was awarded a Fellowship.

The Fellowships programme was initiated in 2014 by the British Council to strengthen the British Pavilion contribution as a platform for ideas and research. This programme aims to enrich the Biennale exhibition, making it a reference point for universities and arts institutions. The Fellowships offer a way of viewing and experiencing art and architecture that provides a new outlook on issues of public and private space, artistic process and display. 

Talking about the exhibition Emma Dexter, Director of Visual Arts said, “I am delighted to see artworks and research produced by Fellows from across the UK following their time in Venice last year. The Fellows are an important part of the show at the British Pavilion, and it is fantastic to now share their responses to Cathy Wilkes, the Biennale and indeed Venice. It is very important to celebrate international experiences and more so than ever to support emerging artists and young practitioners. We thank our partner London Metropolitan University and all our exhibitors for carefully and considerately adapting the show for the safety and enjoyment of visitors.”

This exhibition has been made possible by the British Council. It has been curated and organised by Laura Broderick and Ros Fraser at the British Council, and Kieran Wardle and Owain Williams of the Projects Office in the School of Art, Architecture and Design.