Cattelan's disputed pigeons
The opening of the famed Venice Biennale has been marred by protests. Animal rights activists are demonstrating against the installation by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, which prominently features 2000 mummified pigeons in more than ten exhibit rooms.
The Venice Biennale is a celebrated contemporary art exhibition that has been taking place since 1895.
Since 1972, the art event has operated around adopted themes. The works displayed in the 2011 exhibition are dedicated to the thematic topic of “ILLUMInations.” Animal rights activists have denounced Cattelan’s doves as “darkness” in response.
Cattelan may be drawing headlines for his provoking art, but the Italian sculptor is merely one of many exhibiting at this edition of the Biennale. The event features 30 permanent country pavilions, and the number of participating nations grows every year. The Aperto space is dedicated to hosting young artists of a nationality not represented in the permanent national pavilions.
The 54th edition of the showings will continue through 27 November 2011, and more information can be found at the La Biennale di Venezia homepage.
