The 60th Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art will open in Venice, Italy on April 20th, with the theme "Foreigners Everywhere" curated by Adriano Pedrosa.
According to the press service of the Fund for the Development of Culture and Art of Uzbekistan, the pavilion will feature the exhibition "Don't Miss the Cue," curated by the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent.
Uzbek artist Aziza Kadiri is participating in the project, with the Tashkent-based group of artists Qizlar Collective collaborating on the exhibition. "Don't Miss the Cue" explores themes of belonging and identity through the experiences of women from Central Asia, examining how they navigate and redefine themselves during migration.
The exhibition's concept is directly linked to the biennale's theme. Visitors will embark on a complex migration journey through the pavilion, reinterpreting their personal experiences through interactions with installations. The exhibition creates an atmosphere of theatrical backstage inspired by cultural houses across Eurasia in the early 20th century.
The theatrical setting comes to life with sculptures based on traditional costumes and audiovisual materials by Qizlar Collective. The project focuses on women's stories, collective practices, and the intricate relationships between the physical body and its surrounding world.
The exhibition also delves into the interaction between technology and traditions. Uzbekistan's characteristic hand embroidery "suzane" is reimagined through the use of technology and artificial intelligence.
Uzbekistan's National Pavilion was first presented at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2021. The country also participated in the 59th biennale in 2022 and the 18th Architecture Biennale in 2023. In 2024, the Center for Contemporary Art in Tashkent will debut as the curator for the first time.
