We head towards places we have never been before full of expectations. More than an exhibition at a physical space A Place You Have Never Been Before is a metaphor about the new and unknown. How do we perceive the changes in the world we live in? How do we discover and understand new places?

Pravdoliub Ivanov, Ivan Moudov and Stefan Nikolaev have been selected to represent Bulgaria at the 52nd International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia. Curated by Vessela Nozharova, the exhibition showcases three of the younger generation of Bulgarian artists who were commissioned to create works in response both to the Palazzo Zorzi courtyard and the wider Venetian context.

Ivan Moudov’s Wine for Openings goes beyond Palazzo Zorzi. The Bulgarian red wine, specially produced and bottled by the artist, will be served during the vernissage at various pavilions, creating a symbolic community of the dispersed national exhibition venues. Moudov’s sculptural work Fragments installed at Palazzo Zorzi marks the finale of a five year long project. Since 2002 the artist has been collecting fragments of artists' works from various museums and galleries around the world. Moudov (b.1975) lives and works in Sofia. Most recently he has exhibited at the 1st Moscow Biennial, 2005 and 4th/5th Cetinje Biennial in 2002/2004.

Stefan Nikolaev’s commission will occupy the centre of the palazzo’s courtyard. A disposable, ordinary object assumes monumental proportions – a four meter high Dupont lighter is cast in bronze, placed on a black plinth with its ‘eternal flame’ signifying the memory of something long gone by. Smoking with all its attributes of individualism, emancipation and revolt has been a recurrent theme in Nikolaev’s recent work. The title, inscribed in neon What Goes Up Must Go Down will shine through the ivy creeping through the pallazzo's façade. Stefan Nikolaev (b.1970) lives and works in Sofia and Paris. He has exhibited at 4th Cetinje Biennial, 2002 and Gwangju Biennale 2002, amongst others.

Pravdoliub Ivanov’s Memory is a Muscle establishes a dialogue with Palazzo Zorzi's elegant architecture of classical columns and arches. His three meter long dumbbell made out of silicon is more than a provocative gesture. Ivanov's sculpture is equipped with a pair of wide open eyes instead of weights – a comment on the ways of seeing and perceiving the unknown through our senses, thoughts and memory. Pravdoliub Ivanov (b.1964) lives and works in Sofia. He has exhibited at 4th Berlin Biennial, 2006, 14th Sydney Biennial, 2004 and 4th Istanbul Biennial, 1995.

Catalogue
A Place You Have Never Been Before will be accompanied by a full colour exhibition catalogue featuring newly commissioned essays and interviews by Iara Boubnova, Boris Danailov, Georgi Gospodinov, Dessislava Dimova, Boris Kostadinov, Svetlana Kuyumdjieva, Mihnea Mircan and Vessela Nozharova.

Organizers
Ministry of Culture, Republic of Bulgaria and National Art Gallery, Sofia with the support of the UNESCO Office in Venice - Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe (BRESCE)

Major exhibition sponsor is the Collection Hugo Voeten, Belgium

Additional support
Schenker, Bulgaria; AlItalia; MAGstudio webground; Sts Cyril and Methodius International Foundation


Launching of the magazine 02 at the Bulgarian Pavilion 8 June, 8 pm
DJ Vagabond (Breaktrue.org), Audrey Mascina and Jérôme Sans (Liquid Architecture)