More than just death in Venice: Irish pavilion at the Venice Biennale

摘要

We are all busy. When in our 12+ hour day is there time to read the BJGP, let alone an article on a contemporary art exhibition in Venice that you will never visit? But stop! This is no ordinary exhibition. We are presented with beautiful landscapes in crimson, purple, teal blue and hot pink hues. We see the end of a continuous stream of UN trucks disappearing into the distance, the militia learning how to patrol as they uncover burnt-out villages, or participating in what appear to be spiritual festivals. Shockingly, we also see bodies of the same militia, left in the middl of the road as a crowd gathers. While these visual horrors unfold, the delicate voice of a female folk singer is overlaid in stark contrast to the horrors unveiled on film in beautiful colours. Moments like this stop you in your tracks and grab your attention. 'The Enclave' is Richard Mosse's installation representing Ireland at the 55th Venice Biennale. With a fine art and photographic background, he looked for a way to portray this conflict so that it would attract attention in this media-saturated world in which we live.