Oriol Vilanova, the artist representing Spain at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), will present an installation titled *Los restos* based on his long-running postcard collection. In an interview with ArtReview, he describes working with fragments from flea markets and everyday visual culture, which he believes will resonate in Venice. The Spanish pavilion is located in the Giardini, and Vilanova notes that his presentation does not engage with national identity, instead emphasizing how postcards easily cross borders. He also acknowledges the legacy of previous Spanish pavilion artists such as Antoni Muntadas, Esther Ferrer, and Santiago Sierra.
Vilanova’s comments matter because they challenge the traditional role of national pavilions at a time of rising nationalism, arguing that the Venice Biennale’s importance lies not in the institution itself but in the artists’ propositions and artworks. His focus on minor, everyday materials aligns with the Biennale’s theme, *In Minor Keys*, and his rejection of nationalist sentiment offers a counterpoint to the political tensions often associated with national representation. The interview is part of ArtReview’s series of daily questionnaires leading up to and during the Biennale, which runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026.