Adrian Ghenie: Darwin's Room

At this yearª¡s Venice Biennale, the Romanian Pavilion in the Giardini showcases Darwinª¡s Room, an exhibition of paintings by Adrian Ghenie. The title refers not only to a recent series of superb portraits of (and self-portraits as) the great British naturalist, but also to Ghenieª¡s exploration of twentieth-century history as an ªevolutionary laboratory,ªŒ with the seminal ideologies as ªspeciesªŒ fighting for survivalª¢a fascinating interweaving of past and future histories. In just a few years, Ghenie has developed a unique artistic language, combining a spontaneous, sensual, multilayered ªjoie de peindreªŒ with a keen reflection on how the contemporary is shaped by memory and desire. This handsome book assembles all paintings presented in Venice and a wealth of essays and interviews that underline Ghenieª¡s standing as one of the most significant painters of his generation.