Denmark Selects Maja Malou Lyse as Youngest Artist for Venice Biennale, Exploring Future Visions
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A provocative exploration of science, fiction, and pornography will represent Denmark at the 61st International Venice Biennale, as the Danish Arts Foundation appoints artist Maja Malou Lyse and curator Chus Martínez to helm the Danish Pavilion. The exhibition promises a challenging dialogue on how these seemingly disparate image and value systems shape our collective understanding of the future.
A New Generation Takes the Stage
At 30 years old, Maja Malou Lyse is the youngest artist ever chosen to represent Denmark at the prestigious Venice Biennale. Graduating from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2022, Lyse has quickly established herself as a rising star, with exhibitions at institutions including ARoS, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, and Tate Modern. Currently based in New York, her work consistently engages with themes of sexuality, power, and representation within the context of the digital age.
Intertwining Science, Fiction, and the Erotic
The upcoming exhibition will delve into the complex relationship between fertility science and erotic imagery, presenting a “grounded, real-world dimension” to public discourse. According to a statement from the Danish Arts Foundation, the project aims to examine how these forces “collaborate in shaping visions of the future.” This ambitious undertaking reflects Lyse’s media-conscious practice and a commitment to confronting difficult questions about the impact of images on both the body and reality itself.
Curatorial Vision: Care, Criticality, and Dialogue
Joining Lyse is curator Chus Martínez, whose approach is deeply rooted in care, criticality, and dialogue. Martínez believes art has the power to unlock new ways of knowing, enabling us to envision “alternative futures and possible scenarios.” She currently leads the Institute Art Gender Nature at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW in Switzerland, and also holds positions as Associate Curator at TBA21 (Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary) and Artistic Director of the 36th Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts.
Echoing the Biennale’s Broader Themes
The project’s focus on challenging conventional narratives aligns with the overarching theme of the 61st Venice Biennale, “In Minor Keys,” articulated by Artistic Director Koyo Kouoh. This framing calls for artists to move beyond moralizing debates and instead prioritize listening to voices historically excluded from mainstream cultural conversations. Lyse and Martínez have already formed a dedicated research and working group to further develop their project, expanding on Lyse’s ongoing investigation into the profound influence of images on our species.
The Danish Pavilion’s exhibition promises to be a pivotal moment at the 61st International Venice Biennale, sparking crucial conversations about the future of image-making and its impact on the human condition.
To access the press kit, click here.
