High Waters: An Oral History of the Venice Biennale

How to curate the Venice Biennale: an anthology of interviews with 16 curators from the past 33 yearsA part of the Documents series dedicated to critical writing, this anthology of interviews conducted by Massimiliano Gioni-Artistic Director of the New Museum, New York, who curated the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013-presents a 33-year journey, from 1993 to 2026, recounting the various approaches, visions and challenges faced by Venice Biennale curators through anecdotes and memories of their experiences. Gioni interviews the notable past curators Achille Bonito Oliva, Jean Clair, Harald Szeemann, Francesco Bonami, Rosa Martìnez and Marìa de Corral, Robert Storr, Daniel Birnbaum, Bice Curiger, Okwui Enwezor, Christine Macel, Ralph Rugoff, Cecilia Alemani and Adriano Pedrosa. The volume also includes an interview with Gioni conducted by Robert Storr, as well as one with members of the 2026 Venice Biennale curatorial team. Providing a comprehensive overview of the curatorial processes behind the staging of a biennale, this anthology also traces the evolution of contemporary art over the last three decades.