Auto-Exotic is the theme of the fourth edition of the Venice Design Biennial, whose programme of exhibitions returns to Venice from 19 May to 18 June, in parallel with the rst month of the Architecture Biennale.
The traditional concept of exoticism, steeped in stereotypes, is rethought through the lens of design. The fascination with a remote elsewhere, dense with wonder, desire for discovery and will of domination, has in recent years turned towards gures, practices and social spaces that inhabit the composite ripples of the culture we belong to. Artisanal knowledge and hackers, drag queens and going back to the land, making bread with grandma’s recipe, ChatGPT, playing cards, laces and halophyte plant biotechnology: we are no longer so much fascinated by distance (in space, in time), as by di erence (of proximity). The decline of globalisation indicates that the limit of the expansion process has been reached: if there is no longer an outside world to conquer, the solution is self-colonisation. And never has this fascination in uenced the work of designers so much.
As in previous editions, the Venice Design Biennial will explore the di erent declinations of this theme through the Main Group Exhibition Auto-Exotic, curated by Francesca Giubilei and Luca Berta, and a series of Collateral Projects organized by design rms, galleries and individual designers who will present their installations in independent spaces. Once again, the aim is to combine the discovery of carefully curated design projects with the experience of the city, which in Venice means in rst and foremost by foot, by also (even more so in this year’s edition) by boat walking.
The Main Group Exhibition will also present the outcome of the Venice Design Biennial Residency, awarded this year to Australian designer Trent Jansen, who will realise his new project in collaboration with Vetralia Collectible, editor of the work.

DESIGNERS
Ada Sokół for Moooi, Aina Kari, Andrea Grecucci for Vaspaar, Alissa Volchkova for SWING Design Gallery, Alves Ludovico, Anna Jožová for Umprum, Anna Resei, Arianna De Luca, Arjan van Dal, Astori De Ponti Associati for Tubes, Barbara Schweizer, Balzer Balzer, Bom Noh, Chen-Yu Wang, Chris Fusaro, Coco Brun, Corpus Studio, Coth Studio, Daniel Nicolovski, Duyi Han, Elena Salmistraro for Scapin Collezioni, Elisa Ossino Studio, Ebba Lindgren, Estúdio Bloco A + Johé Bruneau, Hi Kyung Eun, Francesco Maria Messina, Galapagos, Ghalib Alsaid, GROOVIDO, Gōngzuò by Alessandra Negri, Heger et Demumieux, Ivi van Keulen, Jaykishan Mistry, Jonas Hejduk, Joseph Algieri, Lin Fanglu for Objective Gallery, Leo De Carlo for Vetralia Collectible, Lionel Jadot, Logua Family by Julia Ionova, Lucia Massari, Ludovica+Roberto Palomba for Purho, Maria Risueño Dominguez, Matteo Cibic for altreforme, Maxwell Fertik, Millim Studio, NataliaCriado, Nicola Di Froscia, Nicolette de Waart, Steven K. Tucker for Abbozzo Gallery, Paolo Marasi, Philip Rosenberger for Zakaria Rugs, Paritzki&Liani for Purho, Polymorf, Riccardo Cenedella, Riccardo Rizzetto, Roberto Sironi for Carwan Gallery, RUDA Studio, Sara Ricciardi, Studio Eidola, Studio Mau Mau, StudioNotte for Naya, Studio Terre, Studio Yongwon, Sven Jansse, Tadeáš Podracký, Tamar Hadechian, Trent Jansen, Satyendra Pakhalé for Tubes, Yhigor, Yung Kim.