A look inside Vlatka Horvat’s exhibition at the Venice Biennale

27 May 2024

Included on ARTnews’ list of 10 best national pavilions at the Venice Biennale and by The Art Newspaper among the must-see pavilions around town, Vlatka Horvat’s project in the Croatian Pavilion stages a dialogue between artists. 

“I have invited a large group of artist friends – from different countries around the world, based in different countries – to contribute an artwork which reflects in some way on their diaspora experience. In exchange, I will send them a new work of mine produced in the pavilion, which doubles as my studio for the duration of the biennale. A key aspect of this artist exchange is that we don’t use the postal service or shipping companies, but instead, we try to piggyback on existing journeys by asking friends and acquaintances – curators, other artists, writers, technicians, etc. – who are already going to Venice for their own purposes to become informal couriers, delivering the artworks to the pavilion in their hand luggage.” – Vlatka Horvat for ArtReview

Titled By the Means at Hand, the project emphasizes solidarity and mutual support as prerequisites for co-existing with others. It also points to broader themes such as alternative logistics, the spontaneous production of social relations, informal and gift economies, and the environmental footprint of institutionalized modes of production, transportation, and presentation of contemporary art.

Vlatka Horvat in the Croatian Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024
Vlatka Horvat in the Croatian Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024
Vlatka Horvat in the Croatian Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024
Vlatka Horvat in the Croatian Pavilion at Venice Biennale 2024
Photos: Hugo Glendinning, courtesy of the artist

As new works by different artists arrive in Venice and Horvat’s own works are sent back to them, the exhibition changes shape over time. Depending on the moment you visit it, you’ll see a different form of the install.

”The show is an ongoing open conversation, a model of exchange and dialogue we could all do with more of, and one entirely without posturing or grand statements.” – Adrian Searle’s review for The Guardian

Pavilion details

Pavilion of Croatia at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia

Vlatka Horvat: By the Means at Hand

Curated by Antonia Majaca

April 20 – November 24, 2024

Venue: Fàbrica 33 (corner of Calle Larga dei Boteri and Calle Ruzzini), Cannaregio 5063