Italian artist Giorgio Andreotta Calò’s installation at the Venice Art Biennale has made the world go topsy-turvy for art and construction enthusiasts. The installation, titled "Senza Titolo (La Fine Del Mondo)"—which translates to "Untitled (The End of the World)" in English—inverts and reflects the vaulted ceiling of an old shipbuilding warehouse at the Arsenale, one of two main sites for the Biennale.

Nuvola Ravera

The installation, titled "Senza Titolo (La Fine Del Mondo)"—which translates to "Untitled (The End of the World)" in English—inverts and reflects the vaulted ceiling of an old shipbuilding warehouse at the Arsenale, one of two main sites for the Biennale.

The initial construction involved dividing the warehouse into two levels by suspending a wooden platform above scaffolding. In this installation, the pavilion can be entered on the lower level, where there is a set of stairs. At the top of the steps, there is an expanse of water. This reflects the beamed ceiling, which seemingly sets the world on its head.

What opened the door for the construction of Calò’s impressive installation was his reception of the award “This Is Not A Prize” from Mutina, an Italian tile brand. This award is intended to help emerging Italian artists. Calò is the first winner of this award, which also included €5,000 prize. He will also reap the benefits of collaborating on a future project with Mutina, which could be anything from a specific work to a publication or an exhibition.

Calò’s work was inspired by Venice, where he was born. “Venice is a city that I love and detest, a city that reflects itself," said Calò. "The royal city and its reflection in the water. Reflection is a condition of those who live in it, their form mentis (to lie)."