The Carnation Revolution in the Greenhouse

After the market on Saturday, 4 May 2024 at 12:30 about Portugal at the Venice Biennale

This year, the Portugal Pavilion was conceived for the first time by three women. They present the result of various choreographies based on the encounters and collaboration
and collaboration between the public, communities and artists.

The artist-curators Mónica de Miranda, Sónia Vaz Borges and Vânia Gala have labelled the joint project entitled ‘Greenhouse’ at Palazzo Franchetti a ‘Creole garden’. They use this term to refer to private enclosed plantations created by enslaved people as an act of resistance and survival as a kind of antithesis to the monocultural plantation of the Portuguese colonisers. With its dense and rich planting, the ‘Creole garden’ promotes biodiversity. In a figurative sense, it creates a discursive space of liberation and promotes a variety of modes of expression. The project was created by artists from different backgrounds: visual arts, history and choreography. It is characterised by a philosophy of participation, collaboration and interdisciplinary solidarity.

Combining ideas of ecology, decolonisation, diaspora and migration, a garden of plants from African countries has been created and will grow in the main hall of Palazzo Franchetti for the duration of the Biennale. The garden will be the setting for sound installations, sculptures, dance/performance, workshops and community events.All these components create a transdisciplinary space for experiments and encounters.