The Awards Ceremony of the 58th Biennale di Venezia

The Awards Ceremony of the 58th International Art Exhibition took place on 11th May 2019, at Ca’ Giustinian, Venice.

The Jury of the 58th Biennale di Venezia awarded The Golden Lion for Best National Participation to LITHUANIA with Sun & Sea (Marina)
by Lina Lapelyte, Vaiva Grainyte and Rugile Barzdziukaite and curated by Lucia Pietroiusti.

The Lithuanian Pavilion was chosen for its inventive use of the venue to present a Brechtian opera as well as the Pavilion’s engagement with the city of Venice and its inhabitants. Sun & Sea (Marina) is a critique of leisure and of our times, sung by a cast of performers and volunteers portraying everyday people.

A special mention was awarded to the National Participation of BELGIUM with Mondo Cane by Jos de Gruyter & Harald Thys, curated by Anne-Claire Schmitz for its alternative view of the under-recognised aspects of social relations across Europe.

The Golden Lion for the Best Participant in the International Exhibition May You Live In Interesting Times went to Arthur Jafa (b. 1960 USA, lives and works in Los Angeles)

The Silver Lion for a Promising Young Participant in the International Exhibition May You Live In Interesting Times to Haris Epaminonda (b. 1980 Republic of Cyprus, lives and works in Berlin).

The Jury has awarded two special mentions to the following participants: Teresa Margolles (b. 1963 Mexico, lives and works in Mexico City and Madrid) and Otobong Nkanga (b. 1974 Nigeria, lives and works in Antwerp).

The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement to Jimmie Durham (USA).