A Pope at the Venice Biennale

For the first time in history, a pontiff will visit the Venice Art Biennale, more than a century old. Francisco will do so for the first time this Sunday. Their objective is to visit the pavilion of the Holy See, which “competes” with the more than eighty countries present at this world event.

A pavilion that breaks all conventions: it is set in the women’s prison on the island of Giudecca, an ancient monastery where in ancient times were kept prostitutes who wanted to give up their lives; Today, eighty-two women of different nationalities are serving their sentences within its walls.

The originator of this basic idea was the Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino da Mendonça, prefect of the Vatican Dicastery dealing with culture and education. The project has been run by two French curators, Bruno Racine and Chiara Parisi, who have worked with ten other artists and – this is one of its originalities – in collaboration with detainees.

For weeks the team has shared their time with the prisoners, who have contributed their personal photographs, memories, drawings, reflections, letters and poems, and have enthusiastically participated in the filming of a short film and dance exhibitions; They will be the ones wearing the white and blue coats to guide the visitors.

The title of the exhibition is “Through Your Eyes”, and before entering the premises interested persons must submit their personal documents and mobile phones to the guards to avoid the traps of digital technologies, so that their vision is not limited to the viewer dimension. And change them. In witnesses of a reality.

The Cardinal pointed out that the choice of such an unusual place as a prison is in line with one of the most constant concerns of the Argentine Pope, who, on his apostolic visits, visits the prison whenever possible so as not to lose the people living there. Can be encouraged. The hope and struggle for their peace, their personal and social liberation.