TAKING VENICE (2023)
Tuesday, June 25, 5pm
Aspen Film Isis Theatre | 406 E Hopkins Ave, Aspen
$40 General Admission | $30 AF Member
About the Film
Documentary | 98 MIN | US, France, Italy
At the height of the Cold War, the U.S. government is determined to fight Communism with culture. The Venice Biennale, the world’s most influential art exhibition, became a proving ground in 1964.
Alice Denney, Washington insider and friend of the Kennedys, recommends Alan Solomon, an ambitious curator making waves with trailblazing art, to organize the U.S. entry. Together with Leo Castelli, a powerful New York art dealer, they embark on a daring plan to make Robert Rauschenberg the winner of the Grand Prize. The artist is yet to be taken seriously with his combinations of junk off the street and images from pop culture, but he has the potential to dazzle.
Deftly pulling off maneuvers that could have come from a Hollywood thriller, the American team leaves the international press crying foul and Rauschenberg questioning the politics of nationalism that sent him there.
Director |
Amei Wallach |
Nominated, Grand Jury Prize | US Competition 2023
DOC NYC
Event Details
As part of the Aspen Art Fair, Aspen Film in partnership with 74tharts, will present the documentary TAKING VENICE at the historic Aspen Film Isis Theatre in the heart of downtown Aspen.
A Q+A with the film’s director, Amei Wallach, will follow the screening.
TAKING VENICE uncovers the true story behind rumors that the U.S. government and a team of high-placed insiders rigged the 1964 Venice Biennale – the Olympics of art – so their chosen artist, Robert Rauschenberg, could win the Grand Prize.
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