Icelandic Art Centre to sue Venice over Mosque
The Mosque, a work by artist Christoph Büchel is Iceland's contribution to the Venice Biennale but was closed down by Venetian authorities. Photo/Guðmundur Oddur Magnússon
Venetian authorities, who closed Iceland's contribution to the Biennale saying that "it wasn't art," will be sued by the Icelandic Art Centre.
Venetian police closed the Icelandic pavilion at the Venice Biennale on May 22nd, a controversial work titled The Mosque by artist Christoph Büchel set up in a deconsecrated Catholic church.
"The matter goes to court this month and we'll just have to see what happens," says Björg Stefánsdóttir at the Icelandic Art Centre. "A lot of money has obviously gone into setting up the piece and if it's not reopened we will be claiming damages." The state granted 24 million ISK towards the Icelandic pavilion.
According to Stefánsdóttir, it is not for police to decide what is art and what isn't. "It's been a great setback for us that the Venice Biennale didn't make a declaration of support. It's extremely important for Icelandic art that the piece will reopen." She adds that Iceland's participation in the Biennale will be reconsidered this autumn but says it's too early to say whether Iceland will stop participating. She also says that the Icelandic Art Centre still gives its full support to the artwork selected for the Biennale this year.
