Announcing Personal Structures 2024 – Beyond Boundaries
The European Cultural Centre is delighted to announce that the 7th edition of Personal Structures will open in Venice, Italy, on the 20th of April and run until the 24th of November, 2024.
The biennial contemporary art exhibition invites artists and multidisciplinary creatives from across the world to transform once again the historical venues of Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora and Marinaressa Gardens.
Considering the complex dynamics of our global society, Beyond Boundaries was chosen as the guiding title of the seventh edition of Personal Structures. The collective show will present itself not only as an exhibition, but also as a journey that will cross multiple boundaries – geographic, political, religious, cultural and artistic. While some physical and conceptual limits can mean comfort and safety – our own bodies, the walls of our homes, the lines on the road –, the exhibition will aim to shift these constraints, to investigate what is beyond in order to see it from a different perspective.
Sara Danieli, Head of Art at ECC Italy affirms: “Delving into the challenges of global migration and the intricate web of national identities, Personal Structures emerges as a vital artistic dialogue, transcending borders and reflecting the complexities of our interconnected world”.
The ECC Italy team will invite visitors to experience a diverse array of artistic narratives that will challenge preconceptions and invite contemplation. Personal Structures will encourage us to explore, engage, and connect with the art that speaks about shared human experiences, cutting through the limitations that too often define our world.
By welcoming creative professionals from different cultural backgrounds, Personal Structures seeks to provide a rich tapestry of perspectives on the pressing challenges of our time. The group show will feature projects from international and emerging multimedia artists, photographers, sculptors, performers and academic institutions, that will articulate their visions, reflections, and responses to the multifaceted aspects of today’s society.
Through paintings, sculptures, installations, and performances, exhibiting artists will navigate the intricate current global landscape, offering insights that extend beyond the conventional and open pathways to new conversations. The exhibition will become a testament of the richness that arises when diverse voices converge.
Personal Structures will take place in Venice in two of the most iconic palazzos: Palazzo Bembo and Palazzo Mora, as well as in the two symmetrical public gardens called Marinaressa Gardens.
Palazzo Bembo
Near the Rialto Bridge, Palazzo Bembo is characterised by a magnificent façade built in the Venetian Gothic style facing the Grand Canal. The palace itself was committed by the noble Bembo family in the 15th century. While the interior has been modified several times during the past centuries, the exterior still maintains its original appearance.
Palazzo Mora
Palazzo Mora is located between the church of San Felice and the Canal di Noale in the district of Cannaregio. It was constructed in the 16th century and was bought by the Mora family in 1716. The noble floor shows some frescoes attributed to Tiepolo made around 1750. The exhibitions are being held in the two main floors, the mezzanine, the third floor and the entrance garden.
Marinaressa Gardens
The Marinaressa Gardens were constructed in the thirties of the 20th century and are located alongside the Riva dei Sette Martiri, a monumental shore of the city. The two gardens are situated in the district of Castello, close to the Piazza San Marco. Every year, these gardens are transformed into an extraordinary sculpture park with pieces of art and architecture displayed in both the Gardens of Levante and Ponente. This location had to undergo some renovation work carried out by ECC Italy to be open to the public in 2017.
