Following in their footsteps as the fifth, simultaneously becoming the first ever Italian woman to hold the post, is Cecilia Alemani. She will head up the 59th Venice Biennale, due to open in May 2021.
Head of High Line’s art programme in New York since 2011, Alemani boasts an impressive CV, having worked with major institutions including the Tate (London), the MoMA and Artists Space (New York) as an independent curator, as well as leading the artistic direction of the Art Basel Cities programme in Buenos Aires in 2018 and curating Frieze Projects for Frieze New York.
Alemani is no stranger to Venice, either. Husband Massimiliano Gioni organised the 2013 edition, whilst Alemani herself curated the Italian Pavilion for the Biennale in 2017.
“It is a great honor to be able to take on this role in one of the most prestigious and recognized Italian institutions in the world,” Alemani said in a statement. “As the first Italian woman to hold this position, I understand and appreciate the responsibility and also the opportunity offered to me and I intend to give voice to artists to create unique projects that reflect their visions and our society.”
