For over a century, the Venice Biennale has been one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world. Since its founding in 1895, it has been in the avant-garde, promoting new artistic trends and organizing international events in contemporary arts from dance, art and film, to architecture, music and theater. The 55th International Art Exhibition will take place June 1–November, 24 2013 featuring artists from over 80 countries, among them SMFA faculty Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons who will represent her native country, Cuba.

Installation art, performative photography and cultural activism define the core of Campos-Pons' practice of the last two decades. Covering a range of visual language investigations, her work in the early 1980s focused on painting and the discussion of sexuality in the crossroads of Cuban mixed cultural heritage leading to incisive questioning, critique and insertion of the black body in the contemporary narratives of the present. A cross collaboration with musician composer and husband, Neil Leonard, which started in 1988, has complemented and enriched the scope of her work.

In October, Biennale President Paolo Baratta and the Director of the 55th International Art Exhibition, Massimiliano Gioni, introduced this year's title: Il Palazzo Enciclopedico / The Encyclopedic Palace. In the 1950s Italian-American artist Marino Auriti had an idea for an imaginary museum meant to house all worldly knowledge, bringing together the greatest discoveries of the human race. Though never realized, Auriti's dream of universal knowledge is one shared by artists, writers and scientists, and inspired this year's exhibition theme. Congratulations Magda!