Rudolf Stingel at Palazzo Grassi // Venice Biennale 2013.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled (Franz West) 2011. Installation view at Palazzo Grassi Pinault Collection.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger, courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled (Franz West) 2011. Pinault Collection.
Photo by Tom Powel Imaging , courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2012. Installation view at Palazzo Grassi, collection of the artist.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger, courtesy of the artist.

Installation view at Palazzo Grassi.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger.

Rudolf Stingel is an Italian-born, New York-based artist, who is currently presenting an installation at the Palazzo Grassi, the opulent Venetian estate of billionaire collector François Pinault. The exhibition is conceived by the artist in partnership with Elena Geuna, the former director of Sotheby’s Europe. The project was specifically designed for the 3-storey, 5000 square meter building located on Venice’s Grand Canal.

The exhibition unfolds over the atrium and upper floors of the grand building, marking the very first time the entire museum has been devoted to a single artist. The show is also Stingel’s largest ever-monographic presentation in Europe.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2009. Installation view at Palazzo Grassi Pinault Collection.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger, courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2012. Installation view at Palazzo Grassi, collection of the artist.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger, courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2012. Collection of the artist.
Photo by Tom Powel Imaging, courtesy of the artist.

The exhibition presents a selection of over thirty paintings from collections around the world, some previously unseen, including the artist’s collection and that of François Pinault. In parallel with the abstract works, on show is an ensemble of “photo-realistic” works created by the artist from photographs – portraits of friends, self-portraits taken at different stages of Stingel’s life, alpine landscapes, or depictions of ancient religious sculptures. The reference to the Middle-European culture, significant in Stingel’s training, is also a tribute to his friend Franz West, whose magnificent portrait features in the show.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2012. Installation view at Palazzo Grassi Pinault Collection.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger, courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2012. Pinault Collection.
Photo by Tom Powel Imaging, courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2013. Installation view at Palazzo Grassi Pinault Collection.
Photo by Stefan Altenburger, courtesy of the artist.

Rudolf Stingel, Untitled 2009. Pinault Collection.
Photo by Andy Keate, courtesy of the artist.

The decision to cover all the walls and floors of the entire Palazzio in carpet is an incredibly brave gesture. At times it appears as though the bold, oversized pattern could be seen as distracting from the paintings, although the result is much more profound than that. Stingel has created a completely immersive environment that challenges the distinction between the artwork and it’s setting, and places the “carpet” at the core of his poetics.

Absolutely spectacular. I am quite literally picking up my jaw off the floor. This exhibition alone would be work the trip to Venice before it closes on December 31st.

See all the Highlight from Venice Art Biennale 2013, curated by Yellowtrace.

Palazzo Grassi, San Marco, campo San Samuele 3231 Venice
From 07 April 2013 to 31 December 2013
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm everyday except Tuesdays.

[Photography by Stefan Altenburger, Tom Powel Imaging & Andy Keate as noted, courtesy of the artist.]