Art's Biggest Stage
Collecting the Venice Biennale, 2007–2019
July 4–October 14, 2019
From national pavilions to thematic exhibitions presented in grand villas, the Venice Biennale is an expansive, cross-continental survey of contemporary art and the social issues it engages. Since 2007, the Clark's library has built an unparalleled collection of artist editions, books, posters, publicity materials, and other objects produced for this extravaganza. Art's Biggest Stage introduces the Venice Biennale by showcasing the Clark's growing archive and exploring the questions of nationhood, identity, and spectacle central to the Biennale experience. Featuring artists from six continents, the exhibition brings together clothing, pop-up books, a cowbell, perfume, a necklace, wallpaper, tote bags, and much more.
The Clark’s summer 2019 exhibitions and programs are made possible in part by generous support from Denise Littlefield Sobel. Support for Art's Biggest Stage: Collecting the Venice Biennale, 2007–2019 is provided by Maureen Fennessy Bousa and Edward P. Bousa and Amy and Charlie Scharf, with additional support from the Rohit and Katharine Desai Family Foundation.