The Guardian reports that the Venice Biennale is in talks to offer new permanent pavilion sites to Argentina, Chile, Mexico, the UAE and Bahrain. The newcomers will set up their pavilions in the 16th century barracks building at the Arsenale, the sprawling complex of docks and warehouses adjacent to the Giardini.
The President of the Biennale, Paolo Baratta, says for a 20 year concession the newcomers could be asked to pay between €1.5m and €1.7m towards the renovation works in the buildings, which are estimated at €20m.
When Australia snapped up one of the last pavilion spaces at the Giardini, New Zealand appeared to have missed the boat. However, the move to grant new permanent space for pavilions at the Arsenale may offer a new window of opportunity.
