Portugal 2019

Title: “a seam, a surface, a hinge, or a knot”
Curator: João Ribas
Commissioner: Government of Portugal – Ministry of Culture – Directorate-General for the Arts
Artist: Leonor Antunes

The Portuguese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2019 features a new project by artist Leonor Antunes, who further develops her investigation into the function of everyday objects and their translation into abstract sculptures.
As usual, Antunes’ research draws inspiration from key figures of Venetian cultural history, such as architects and designers Carlo Scarpa, Franco Albini and Franca Helg. Antunes links these suggestions with elements drawn from various forms of craftsmanship from Italy, Portugal and Japan and from local makers. The exhibition also spotlights some significative but overlooked figures who contributed to the cultural development of the city of Venice, such as Savina Masieri, responsible for the commissioning of Frank Lloyd Wright and Carlo Scarpa, and Egle Trincanato, architect and also director of Palazzo Ducale and president of Querini Stampalia.