Spain: Oriol Vilanova and the Abolition of the Museum and the Archive

The Spanish Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale presents "Los restos," a project by Catalan artist Oriol Vilanova, curated by Carles Guerra. The installation transforms the pavilion into an anti-museum or pseudo-museum, featuring over twenty years of postcards collected from flea markets, arranged in a wall-based accumulation that challenges linear narrative and archival hierarchy. The project also includes a publication and a performative action titled "El fantasma de la libertad" (2026), inspired by Luis Buñuel, which will take place across the Giardini and Arsenale through unannounced encounters.

This project matters because it directly critiques the traditional museum and archive systems, proposing an alternative model based on accumulation, repetition, and material erosion. By engaging with themes of memory, loss, and global tourism, Vilanova's work reflects broader contemporary debates about institutional authority, preservation, and the role of art in public space. The Spanish Pavilion's renovation and the inclusion of performative elements also signal a shift toward more immersive and critical exhibition practices at the Biennale.