Conférence - Clarissa Ricci

BIENNIAL AS BATTLEGROUND
Questioning the economies of the present tense

Biennials have emerged as a defining exhibition format in contemporary art. Although inherently temporary, they have achieved a form of permanence through repetition and their global proliferation. Biennials have shown an ability to address diverse needs through world-making narratives and adaptability to different contexts, serving purposes ranging from autonomous, regional, and radical expressions to showcases for neoliberal art elitism. Among these, the Venice Biennale stands as the oldest and one of the most prominent examples, consistently attracting increasing numbers of visitors, pavilions, and funding, but also controversies. In 2026, the opening was marked not only by protests, such as the Pussy Riot demonstration in front of the Russia Pavilion, but also by the jury's withdrawal and the subsequent withdrawal of numerous pavilions and artists from the competition for the Golden Lion. This development has raised several questions about the current relevance and function of biennials: Are biennials in crisis? Do they still hold significance? What roles should biennials fulfill in the present time?

Clarissa Ricci, Ph.D., is an art historian at Università Iuav di Venezia and adjunct professor at the University of Bologna, specializing in the art system and the history of exhibitions, biennials, and fairs. She held a Getty/ACLS Postdoctoral Fellowship in the History of Art (2019–20) and a visiting scholar appointment at Columbia University. She co-founded and serves as deputy editor of OBOE Journal.On Biennials and Other Exhibitons. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Curatorial Studies, World Art, and Italian Modern Studies. She has authored and edited several volumes on the Venice Biennale, including Starting from Venice: Studies on the Biennale (2011) and Aperto 1980-1993 (2022). Her most recent book is Mercanti a Venezia. La Biennale e il suo Ufficio Vendite (2026).