Fondation Pinault in Venice: 4 solo shows on identity and memory not to

Four essential solo shows at the Pinault Foundation

The Pinault Foundation's current season in Venice features four solo exhibitions that, while independent, are thematically linked. Located across Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana, the shows investigate identity, collective memory and historical reconstruction through diverse media: painting, installation, film and collage.

The four solo exhibitions

• Lorna Simpson — "Third Person" (Punta della Dogana): a survey spanning more than a decade, combining photography and painting to uncover erased or fragmented narratives, with installations and films that amplify issues of memory and identity.
• Paulo Nazareth — "Algebra" (Punta della Dogana): a project that reassembles personal and collective stories, exploring themes of recomposition, place and migration.
• Michael Armitage (Palazzo Grassi): paintings merging figurative references with African and European pictorial traditions, reflecting on cultural boundaries and contemporary tensions.
• Amar Kanwar (Palazzo Grassi): video installations and multimedia work that weave documentary inquiry with visual poetry, addressing collective memory, violence and practices of testimony.

What to expect and how to plan your visit

The four shows form a plural narrative: from racial and gender issues to geocultural movements and the reworking of historical events. Practical tips for visitors:

• Itinerary: allow time for both venues — Punta della Dogana and Palazzo Grassi are close but each requires at least a few hours for a thorough visit.
• Works on view: expect a combination of painting, video installations, collages and sculpture; some pieces demand sustained attention to appreciate their layers and references.
• Tickets and access: check the foundation's official site for opening hours and ticketing; guided tours and curator materials are sometimes available.
• Contextual reading: the exhibitions challenge established narratives — take time to read labels and accompanying texts to follow the thematic threads.

Why visit

These exhibitions bring together international mid-career artists who use different languages to create a collective discourse on contemporary ruptures. The season is a valuable occasion to see how private memory is transformed into public dialogue and to engage with current practices that question representation.