The Miami Herald lays down the bare facts about the Venice Biennale:

A record 89 countries will have national pavilions at the 54th Biennale, including for the first time Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Malaysia and tiny Andorra.

Curiger is seeking to unite the often eclectic and anachronistic national pavilions in Venice’s shaded Giardini with the main exhibition by posing questions about national identity and art. Her exhibit in the 10,000-square meter Arsenale features 83 artists from all over the world.

She invited four artists to create a special space, a sort of mock-up of a pavilion, in another effort to unite the exhibit with the national entries. The so-called Para-Pavilion will be a space where other art work will be shown.

Venice Biennale to Kick Off Europe’s Art Summer (Miami Herald)