Monaco’s presence at the Venice Biennale has been limited so far to the participation of the Monegasque painter Philippe Pastor in 2009. Seeking to cooperate in a meaningful initiative, Marie-Claude Beaud, Director of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM), was approached by Raphael Chikukwa, Curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, who informed her of his project of Zimbabwean Pavilion at the 54th Venice Biennale, to be held from 1st June to 27 November 2011.

Through the works of the four artists selected – Berry Bickle, Calvin Dondo, Misheck Masamvu and Tapfuma Gutsa – this Pavilion will restore the visibility of a country with a dynamic artistic scene and institutions, a country that wishes to resume dialogue with the rest of the world. The questions raised by this project far exceed the Zimbabwean national context and address issues relating to the entire continent. However, it is set to question the notion of global African pavilion, as illustrated by Check List Luanda Pop, curated by Fernando Alvim and Simon Njami in 2007.
A number of important institutional partners are committed to this project alongside the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. The pavilion is borne by a national public cultural institution, whose mission of disseminating knowledge and discovery is in many ways comparable to that of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. This partnership offers a unique opportunity for the Principality of Monaco to be present at the 54th Venice Biennale in a way that differs from the “classic” model of national pavilion.
It also happens that Miss Charlene Wittstock, who will marry HSH the Sovereign Prince in July, was born in Zimbabwe, where she spent part of her childhood. When He was informed of the project, HSH Albert II expressed His interest as well as that of HSH the Princess of Hanover, President of the NMNM Board, in supporting this groundbreaking venture.

Contact : Mr. François LARINI
Curator of Publics & Communication
+377.98.98.44.84 / f.larini@nmnm.mc
Nouveau Musée National de Monaco
Villa des Pins - B
8, rue Honoré Labande