The Biennale 100™ Bookshelf

The essential texts that frame contemporary art discourse — Venice and documenta catalogues, critical theory, global Biennale histories, artist monographs, and the writings that shaped a decade.

Featured Titles

Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere: 60th International Art Exhibition Edited by Adriano Pedrosa (2024) The official catalog of the 60th Venice Biennale explores contemporary art through the lens of migration, displacement, and cultural exchange. This comprehensive two-volume set documents over 330 artists' works showcased in the historic exhibition curated by the first director from Latin America. Buy on Amazon
Biennials, Triennials, and Documenta: The Exhibitions That Created Contemporary Art By Charles Green and Anthony Gardner (2016) The definitive history of how large-scale international exhibitions have transformed the art world since the 1950s. Featuring case studies from Venice to São Paulo, Documenta to Gwangju, this landmark study is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how biennales became the dominant framework for contemporary art. Buy on Amazon
The Milk of Dreams: 59th International Art Exhibition Edited by Cecilia Alemani (2022) Named after Leonora Carrington’s surrealist tales, the catalog of the 59th Venice Biennale examines how the definition of humanity is changing through exploration of metamorphosis, the relationship between bodies and technology, and the connections between individuals and the worlds they inhabit. Buy on Amazon
documenta fifteen: Handbook Edited by ruangrupa (2022) A groundbreaking resource on the 15th edition of documenta, curated by the Indonesian collective ruangrupa. This handbook introduces the revolutionary concept of ‘lumbung’ (rice barn) as a model for resource sharing and collective art-making that challenged the traditional structure of international exhibitions. Buy on Amazon
Simone Leigh: Sovereignty By Simone Leigh (2022) Documents Leigh's powerful exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale, exploring Black female subjectivity through monumental sculptures that reference African art, vernacular architecture, and the labor of care. Buy on Amazon
Okwui Enwezor: Postcolonial Modernism Edited by Terry Smith (2021) A seminal collection of writings honoring the revolutionary legacy of curator Okwui Enwezor, whose groundbreaking exhibitions transformed contemporary art discourse. Essays examine how Enwezor’s work redrew the map of global contemporary art. Buy on Amazon

The Full Bookshelf

93 titles
All the World's Futures: 56th Venice Biennale Edited by Okwui Enwezor (2015) A landmark catalog from Enwezor's politically charged 2015 Biennale that confronted global capitalism and inequality. Amazon
The Encyclopedic Palace: 55th Venice Biennale Edited by Massimiliano Gioni (2013) Inspired by Marino Auriti's imaginary museum, this catalog explores the desire to create universal knowledge systems. Amazon
Venice Art Biennale 2024 Exhibition Guide By Vici MacDonald (2024) An essential companion for navigating the 60th Venice Biennale, with maps, pavilion locations, and artist information. Amazon
Kochi-Muziris Biennale: Making Art Public Edited by Natasha Ginwala (2022) Documents India's leading contemporary art event and its transformative impact on Kochi's cultural landscape. Amazon
The Biennial Reader Edited by Elena Filipovic (2010) A comprehensive anthology examining the biennial phenomenon through critical essays on cultural politics and globalization. Amazon
La Biennale di Venezia: Art Exhibition 1895-2019 By La Biennale di Venezia (2019) The definitive chronological history of the world's oldest biennial, documenting 125 years of exhibitions. Amazon
Leonora Carrington: Revelation By Joanna Moorhead (2023) An intimate portrait of the surrealist artist whose dreamlike imagery and feminist mythologies inspired the 59th Venice Biennale. Amazon
When We See Us: Black Figuration in Painting Edited by Koyo Kouoh (2022) A landmark exhibition catalog exploring how Black artists have reimagined figurative painting and challenged art historical narratives. Amazon
Gwangju Biennale: Soft and Weak Like Water Edited by Sook-Kyung Lee (2023) Documents the 14th edition of Asia's leading biennale, exploring water as a metaphor for adaptability and resilience. Amazon
Viva Arte Viva: 57th Venice Biennale By Christine Macel (2017) Curator Christine Macel's celebration of artists' creative freedom and the vital role of art in turbulent times. Amazon
Documenta 14: Daybook Edited by Quinn Latimer (2017) A unique catalog structured as a daily reader for the exhibition held simultaneously in Athens and Kassel. Amazon
Sharjah Biennial 15: Thinking Historically Edited by Hoor Al Qasimi (2023) Documents the late Okwui Enwezor's final curatorial vision, completed after his death, examining colonial legacies. Amazon
Art After Money, Money After Art By Max Haiven (2018) A critical examination of the relationship between contemporary art and financial capitalism in the global art market. Amazon
Stanley Whitney: The Italian Paintings By Matthew Jeffrey Abrams (2022) Explores the profound influence of Italy on Whitney's vibrant abstract paintings and his iconic grid compositions. Amazon
Dorothea Tanning: Transformations By Victoria Carruthers (2020) A definitive study of Tanning's seven-decade career spanning surrealist painting, soft sculpture, and poetry. Amazon
Liverpool Biennial: Beautiful World Edited by Sally Tallant (2018) Documents the 10th edition of the UK's largest contemporary art festival, exploring artists' responses to global turmoil. Amazon
Documenta 13: 100 Notes 100 Thoughts Ed. by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev (2012) A revolutionary series of notebook publications that expanded documenta beyond the exhibition format. Amazon
Ruskin's Venice By Sarah Quill (2015) Explores John Ruskin's influential writings on Venice's architecture and his impact on how we understand its cultural significance. Amazon
Broken Boxes: A Decade of Art, Action, and Dialogue Edited by Ginger Dunnill (2023) Chronicles a decade of projects centering Indigenous, Black, POC, LGBTQ+, and women artists at the intersection of art and activism. Amazon
Whitney Biennial 2022: Quiet as It's Kept Edited by David Breslin (2022) Documents the influential 80th edition that examined American art during a time of profound social upheaval. Amazon
Art Monsters: Unruly Bodies in Feminist Art By Lauren Elkin (2023) A provocative examination of how feminist artists have embraced monstrosity as a radical strategy to subvert conventional beauty norms. Amazon
Raven Chacon: Hearing with the Body Edited by Candice Hopkins (2023) The first monograph on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Diné composer and sound artist, documenting his experimental work. Amazon
Africa and the Exhibition of Contemporary Art By Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi (2023) A critical analysis of how contemporary African art has been framed through major exhibitions since the 1990s. Amazon
New Surrealism: The Uncanny in Contemporary Painting By Robert Zeller (2023) Examines the resurgence of surrealist approaches in contemporary painting to address 21st-century anxieties. Amazon
Marina Abramović: A Visual Biography By Katya Tylevich (2023) A visual journey through the pioneering performance artist's career, including her Golden Lion-winning work in Venice. Amazon
Biennials: The Exhibitions We Love to Hate By Rafal Niemojewski (2022) A provocative critique of the global biennial phenomenon, examining its role in cultural tourism and city branding. Amazon
Havana Biennial: Decolonizing Art Edited by Jorge Fernandez Torres (2022) Documents the 14th edition that has historically centered Global South perspectives and decolonial strategies. Amazon
São Paulo Biennial: Turning Points Edited by Jacopo Crivelli Visconti (2021) Documents the 34th edition of the world's second-oldest biennial, examining moments of rupture and transformation. Amazon
An Indigenous Present Edited by Jeffrey Gibson (2024) A landmark survey of contemporary Indigenous art practices across the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand. Amazon
Latifa Echakhch: The Concert By Latifa Echakhch (2022) Documents Echakhch's immersive installation for the Swiss Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale. Amazon
Fondazione: The Venice Biennale, 1895-2007 By Clarissa Ricci (2019) A historical study of the Venice Biennale's institutional evolution from its 19th-century origins to a global platform. Amazon
Curating as Ethics By Jean-Paul Martinon (2020) A philosophical examination of curatorial practice as an ethical undertaking, exploring responsibility to artists and audiences. Amazon
Archive in Motion: documenta History By Nanne Buurman (2018) An essential text exploring the historical and archival significance of the documenta exhibitions. Amazon
Istanbul Biennial: Seventh Continent Edited by Nicolas Bourriaud (2019) Catalog for the Istanbul Biennial, focusing on art's relationship to ecology and anthropology. Amazon
Joan Jonas: They Come to Us Without a Word By Joan Jonas (2015) Documents the artist's exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale. Amazon
The Culture of Curating and the Curating of Culture(s) By Paul O'Neill (2012) A foundational text on the history and theory of contemporary curatorial practice. Amazon
Yokohama Triennale: Afterglow Edited by Raqs Media Collective (2020) Explores themes of care, light, and friendship in the catalog for the Yokohama Triennale. Amazon
Sonia Boyce: Feeling Her Way By Sonia Boyce (2022) Documents the Golden Lion-winning exhibition for the British Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale. Amazon
The Global Art World: Audiences, Markets, and Museums By Hans Belting (2018) An analysis of the complex dynamics shaping the contemporary global art landscape. Amazon
Harald Szeemann: Museum of Obsessions By Glenn Phillips (2018) A deep dive into the archives and practice of the legendary and influential curator Harald Szeemann. Amazon
Berlin Biennale: Still Present! Edited by Kader Attia (2022) The catalog for the 12th Berlin Biennale, focusing on decolonial perspectives and historical repair. Amazon
Judith Baca: Memorias of Healing and Public Art By Judith Baca (2022) A survey of the artist's work at the intersection of public art, community, and social justice. Amazon
Documenta 12 Catalogue Edited by Roger M. Buergel (2007) The comprehensive catalog for the 2007 edition of documenta in Kassel. Amazon
ILLUMInations: 54th Venice Biennale Edited by Bice Curiger (2011) The catalog for the 2011 Venice Biennale, exploring themes of light, knowledge, and intuition. Amazon
Busan Biennale: We, on the Rising Wave Edited by Haeju Kim (2022) The catalog for the Busan Biennale, centered on the city's history of migration and displacement. Amazon
What Makes a Great Exhibition? Edited by Paula Marincola (2015) A collection of essays considering the various factors that contribute to a landmark exhibition. Amazon
Manifesta 13 Marseille: Traits d'union.s Edited by Manifesta 13 (2020) Documents the European nomadic biennial's edition in Marseille, focusing on urban and social issues. Amazon
Pavilion of Turkey at the 58th Venice Biennale By İnci Eviner (2019) A look at İnci Eviner's project for the Pavilion of Turkey at the Venice Biennale. Amazon
Making Art Global: The Magiciens de la Terre By Lucy Steeds (2013) A critical re-examination of the landmark 1989 exhibition 'Magiciens de la Terre' in Paris. Amazon
Yuki Kihara: Paradise Camp By Yuki Kihara (2022) Explores the artist's presentation for the New Zealand Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale. Amazon
Kochi-Muziris Biennale: Whorled Explorations Edited by Jitish Kallat (2016) Catalog from an earlier edition of the influential Indian biennial, curated by artist Jitish Kallat. Amazon
Exhibit A: Exhibitions That Transformed Architecture By Eeva-Liisa Pelkonen (2018) A study of how architectural exhibitions have shaped the discourse and practice of architecture. Amazon
Making Worlds: 53rd Venice Biennale Edited by Daniel Birnbaum (2009) The official catalog of the 2009 Venice Biennale, focusing on the creative process and artistic production. Amazon
Francis Alÿs: A Story of Negotiation By Francis Alÿs (2015) Explores three key projects by the artist, examining themes of politics, borders, and poetic action. Amazon
National Pavilions in Venice Edited by Marco Mulazzani (2014) A detailed look at the history and architecture of the national pavilions in the Giardini of the Venice Biennale. Amazon
Documenta 11 Platform 5: Exhibition Edited by Okwui Enwezor (2002) The catalog for the landmark Documenta 11, curated by Okwui Enwezor, which redefined the exhibition's global scope. Amazon
Ibrahim Mahama: Vanishing Points By Ibrahim Mahama (2023) A survey of the Ghanaian artist's large-scale installations that engage with histories of labor and commodity. Amazon
Think with the Senses, Feel with the Mind: 52nd Venice Biennale Edited by Robert Storr (2007) The catalog for the 2007 Venice Biennale, which emphasized the perceptual experience of art. Amazon
How Institutions Think Edited by Paul O'Neill (2017) A collection of essays exploring the internal logics and structures of art institutions. Amazon
Zineb Sedira: Dreams Have No Titles By Zineb Sedira (2022) Documents the artist's immersive film installation for the French Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale. Amazon
The Curatorial: A Philosophy of Curating Edited by Jean-Paul Martinon (2013) An anthology of essays that delve into the philosophical underpinnings of the curatorial field. Amazon
Bamako Encounters: Streams of Consciousness Edited by Bonaventure Ndikung (2022) The catalog for the renowned African biennial of photography in Bamako, Mali. Amazon
Simryn Gill: Here art grows on trees By Simryn Gill (2013) Documents the artist's work for the Australian Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale. Amazon
Cannibal Manifesto: Anthropophagy as Cultural Strategy By Pedro Neves Marques (2023) An exploration of the Brazilian concept of anthropophagy as a tool for postcolonial cultural production. Amazon
Plateau of Humankind: 49th Venice Biennale Edited by Harald Szeemann (2001) The catalog for Harald Szeemann's second Venice Biennale, continuing his expansive curatorial vision. Amazon
EVA International: Ireland's Biennial Edited by Koyo Kouoh (2016) The catalog for an edition of Ireland's Biennial curated by Koyo Kouoh, focusing on post-colonial themes. Amazon
Jeremy Deller: English Magic By Jeremy Deller (2013) Explores the artist's exhibition for the British Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale, delving into British culture. Amazon
Decolonizing Art Institutions Edited by Johanna Gonçalves Martín (2022) A collection of essays on the urgent need and practical strategies for decolonizing museums and art spaces. Amazon
Venice Biennale: History and Prestige By Clarissa Ricci (2019) An academic study of the Venice Biennale's role in shaping cultural prestige and artistic careers. Amazon
Dak'Art: The Biennial of Contemporary African Art Edited by N'Goné Fall (2020) A look at the long-running and influential biennial of contemporary art on the African continent. Amazon
Curating Diversity Edited by Nora Sternfeld (2022) Examines the challenges and responsibilities of curating in a diverse and globalized art world. Amazon
Documenta X Catalogue Edited by Catherine David (1997) The catalog for the politically and theoretically-driven Documenta X, curated by Catherine David. Amazon
Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art Edited by Zara Stanhope (2018) A publication from the premier exhibition series focusing on contemporary art from Asia and the Pacific. Amazon
Future, Present, Past: 47th Venice Biennale Edited by Germano Celant (1997) The catalog from the 1997 Venice Biennale, which marked a major survey of contemporary art at the time. Amazon
Sarah Sze: Triple Point By Sarah Sze (2013) Documents the artist's intricate and sprawling installation for the U.S. Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale. Amazon
Biennale of Sydney: NIRIN Edited by Brook Andrew (2020) The catalog for the artist- and First Nations-led Biennale of Sydney, focusing on sovereignty and collective healing. Amazon
The Exhibitionist: Journal on Exhibition Making Edited by Jens Hoffmann (2017) A journal dedicated to the practice of exhibition making, featuring essays and contributions from leading curators. Amazon
Prospect New Orleans: Prospect.5 Edited by Naima J. Keith (2022) The catalog for the fifth edition of the New Orleans triennial, which explored the city's complex histories. Amazon
Hans Ulrich Obrist: A Brief History of Curating By Hans Ulrich Obrist (2011) A collection of interviews with pioneering curators, tracing the evolution of the profession. Amazon
Beyond the Black Square: 54th Venice Biennale Edited by Boris Groys (2011) A theoretical exploration accompanying the 54th Venice Biennale, meditating on Malevich and modernism. Amazon
William Kentridge: Thick Time By William Kentridge (2018) A survey of the celebrated South African artist's work, focusing on his immersive installations and films. Amazon
Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art Edited by Rebecca Lamarche-Vadel (2020) The catalog for the RIBOCA biennial in Latvia, exploring themes of change and transformation. Amazon
Ten Fundamental Questions of Curating Edited by Jens Hoffmann (2013) A concise exploration of the key questions and challenges that define contemporary curating. Amazon
Martin Puryear: Liberty / Libertà By Martin Puryear (2019) Documents the sculptor's thoughtful and elegant exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale. Amazon
Kathmandu Triennale: Ritualized Experience Edited by Cosmin Costinas (2022) The catalog for the triennial in Nepal, focusing on ritual, spirituality, and indigenous knowledge. Amazon
Dreams and Conflicts: 50th Venice Biennale Edited by Francesco Bonami (2003) The catalog for the ambitious 2003 Venice Biennale, which featured multiple curators and exhibitions. Amazon
Otobong Nkanga: To Dig a Hole That Collapses Again By Otobong Nkanga (2018) A survey of the artist's work, which explores the complex relationships between land, body, and resources. Amazon
FRONT International Cleveland Triennial Edited by Michelle Grabner (2018) The catalog for the inaugural edition of the FRONT Triennial, exploring the identity of an American city. Amazon
Curating Research Edited by Paul O'Neill (2015) Explores the ways in which curating can be a form of research and knowledge production. Amazon
Lahore Biennale 02: Between the Sun and the Moon Edited by Hoor Al Qasimi (2020) The catalog for the second edition of the Lahore Biennale in Pakistan. Amazon
Mark Bradford: Tomorrow Is Another Day By Mark Bradford (2017) Documents the artist's powerful exhibition for the U.S. Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale. Amazon
dAPERTutto: 48th Venice Biennale Edited by Harald Szeemann (1999) The catalog for Harald Szeemann's first Venice Biennale as director, which opened the exhibition to a global stage. Amazon
Art Cities of the Future: 21st-Century Avant-Gardes By Antawan I. Byrd (2013) A look at emerging art scenes and cultural centers around the world that are shaping the future of art. Amazon

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