Trump's Mausoleum Concept by Andres Serrano for the U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
In the world of contemporary art, proposals for the Venice Biennale are always eagerly anticipated. This year, artist Andres Serrano has put forward an intriguing and provocative proposal titled The Game: All Things Trump. If accepted, this site-specific installation will grace the US pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
Born to Afro-Cuban and Honduran parents, Serrano first captured Donald Trump in 2004 for his "America" series (2001-04). Since then, he has amassed a collection of thousands of Trump-signed and branded objects, spending over $200,000 on this unique collection.
The Game: All Things Trump is a multi-media portrait of the president, featuring personal memorabilia such as a piece of his 2005 wedding cake. Serrano aims to present Trump as a symbolic figure, neither celebrating nor denigrating him, but rather observing the cultural and political spectacle around his persona.
The proposal envisions the pavilion as a kind of Trump mausoleum, exploring themes of populism, consumer culture, and American values through these artifacts. Serrano’s work is well-known for its provocative nature, and this installation continues in that spirit.
The U.S. State Department, which oversees the pavilion’s participation, is still in the process of selection, with an announcement expected on September 1, 2025. Another proposal for the US pavilion has been floated by Curtis Yarvin, though details about his concept are not yet available.
If Serrano’s proposal is accepted, it will certainly stir debate and challenge conventional narratives about America. The installation promises to blend politics, media spectacle, and art in a way that is both thought-provoking and controversial.
References:
- Artnet News
- The Art Newspaper
- The Guardian
- Hyperallergic
- The New York Times
During the 2026 Venice Biennale, artist Andres Serrano's installation, The Game: All Things Trump, could spark intense debates if accepted for the US pavilion. A multimedia portrait of former President Donald Trump, the exhibition will explore themes of populism, consumer culture, and American values, featuring personal memorabilia and thousands of Trump-branded objects. (Art, Artist, Biennale, Politics, General-News)
The controversial nature of Serrano's work, stemming from his provocative approach, ensures that The Game: All Things Trump will challenge conventional narratives about America, offering a blend of politics, media spectacle, and art. (Art, Artist, Biennale, Politics, General-News)
