The Venice Biennale and the structures of the art sector

Abstract

SIK-ISEA’s Focus Project “Kunstbetrieb”, headed by Professorial Fellow Beat Wyss and devoted to the workings of the art sector, is planning a systematic historical study of the Venice Biennale. Like no other exhibition format, this event so rich in tradition actually allows us to track structural changes in the art business. Founded in 1895 as a sales fair, the “World Exhibition of the art nations” (Wyss) has institutionalised itself as an art platform where unfolding processes of commercial differentiation can be observed.