The Italian exhibition invites more than 30 artists and collectives to engage with the landscapes of Val Gardena (Gherdëina). This year's theme is ‘The Parliament of Marmots’ a title which borrows from a local Ladin myth about the Fanes – the legendary founding population of the Ladins. While the winter months may see avid skiers flock to the northern Italian town of Ortisei (Urtijëi in the Ladin language), every other summer the alpine village becomes a focus of the art world.
Now welcoming its ninth edition, the Biennale Gherdëina has been bringing international contemporary art to the since 2008. This year, more than 30 artists and collectives are taking part, bringing new commissions, existing artworks and performances into dialogue with the spectacular natural landscape – as well as a rich local folklore and culture. Curated by Italian historian and art curator Lorenzo Giusti, with Marta Papini as assistant curator, 2024’s exhibition takes as its theme ‘The Parliament of Marmots’.
This title borrows from a local Ladin myth about the Fanes – the legendary founding population of the Ladins, who were prosperous because of their alliance with the marmots with whom they shared the land. Building on this local legend, the artists will explore the land as a space of encounter, but also contamination, exploring what it means to impose new stories onto the history-rich, monumental landscapes. “There are three pivotal themes in this edition of the Biennale .