La Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka
Hey dear traveler, today we're taking you on a special journey, one that begins in the Venetian lagoon and stretches all the way to Japan, specifically to Osaka. It’s official: La Biennale di Venezia will participate in Expo 2025 Osaka with a powerful and symbolic artistic project titled “Nest of Silence.”
This is a remarkable opportunity to showcase Italian artistic excellence on the world stage and to spread values of peace, creativity, and connection among cultures.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know in this guide by Venice Insider Guide!
A Biennale of Venice that flies to Japan: what’s happening?
La Biennale di Venezia, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions, will be part of Expo 2025 Osaka, the upcoming World Expo running from April 13 to October 13, 2025 in Japan. The theme of the Expo? “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”
Italy’s contribution will be led by La Biennale di Venezia, selected to represent the country inside the Italy Pavilion, overseen by the General Commissioner for Italy, Paolo Glisenti.
The project that will bear the Biennale’s signature is called “Nest of Silence” - an immersive and contemplative installation that blends art, sound, nature, and spirituality.
La Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka
At Expo 2025 Osaka, the world will witness a one-of-a-kind convergence of art, architecture, music, and technology, and leading the Italian charge is none other than La Biennale di Venezia. Set within the Italy Pavilion (also referred to as the Italian Pavilion) on Yumeshima Island, the visionary project titled "Nest of Silence" is more than just a multi channel sound installation, it’s a sensory journey into the soul of Venice and the universal language of silence.
Developed under the artistic direction of the brilliant Wayne McGregor with creative contributions from Caterina Barbieri, Thierry Coduys, and architect Mario Cucinella, this immersive installation brings together the disciplines of visual arts, dance, theatre, and architecture in an evocative interior structure that reflects the theme of Expo: “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” As La Biennale marks its presence on the global stage, it offers a presentation unlike any other-a pavilion at Expo 2025 that feels like an ideal city made of sound, movement, and contemplation.
The Nest of Silence is not just an exhibition, it is an environment, a garden of serenity where visitors are invited to reflect on life, diversity, and the possibilities of tomorrow. Through videos, maps, and events, the project explores how art regenerates life, how cities can be reshaped by ideas, and how La Biennale di Venezia continues to create cultural dialogue that resonates far beyond the sites of Venezia.
This special week dedicated to Italy will highlight how collaboration between disciplines and voices - between East and West - can shape a new kind of future. As the history of La Biennale di Venezia meets the innovation of Expo Osaka, a global dialogue is born - one that is deeply human, profoundly quiet, and strikingly bold. In the ever-evolving narrative of the world expo, this is a moment where the pavilion, the city, and the sense of being present become one.
“Nest of Silence”: a nest for the soul
But what exactly is “Nest of Silence”?
The title itself evokes a sense of intimacy, protection, and reflection. The artwork will take the shape of a nest-like structure, made of natural, lightweight materials designed to offer visitors a place for silence and meditation within the energetic atmosphere of the Expo.
The concept is built on three key pillars:
- Silence as a universal language
In a world overwhelmed by noise, words, and digital chatter, silence becomes a profound and shared form of communication. - Connection with nature
The installation reminds us of our bond with the environment, the Earth, and what is essential. - Sensory experience
Visitors can enter, sit, listen to nature-inspired sounds, and immerse themselves in a suspended, poetic atmosphere.
Why is this participation so important?
The participation of La Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka is not just a cultural event—it’s a strategic milestone that projects Italy, and especially Venice, onto the global stage where innovation, sustainability, and the arts come together to inspire the future.
Here’s why this matters:
1. Showcasing Italian cultural excellence
For over a century, the Biennale has symbolized artistic innovation. Its presence at the Expo highlights Italian creativity and its global vision.
2. Boosting tourism and cultural diplomacy
With the media coverage around Expo 2025, Venice strengthens its ties to Asia and attracts new waves of curious travelers and art lovers.
3. Global dialogue
Nest of Silence becomes a platform for international exchange. Silence is the meeting point between East and West, nature and art, the future and tradition.
Step by step: how the installation will unfold
Here are the main steps in the development and journey of “Nest of Silence”:
Step 1: Artistic concept design
Wayne McGregor and a multidisciplinary team of architects, designers, and sound artists crafted a structure that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
Step 2: Sustainable production
The installation will be built in Italy using eco-friendly and modular materials that can be shipped efficiently to Osaka with minimal environmental impact.
Step 3: Setup and public opening
Once in Japan, “Nest of Silence” will be installed inside the Italy Pavilion, becoming a core part of the visitor experience.
Step 4: Ongoing events
Throughout the six months of the Expo, the nest will host live performances, contemporary dance shows, talks, and meditative gatherings.
Visiting La Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka: what you need to know
Thinking of witnessing the Biennale in Japan? Here are some handy tips to plan your trip:
1. Dates:
Expo runs from April 13 to October 13, 2025. Spring is ideal for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
2. Location:
The event takes place on Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay. Easily accessible from the city center by public transport.
3. Tickets:
Online ticket sales will likely open by late 2024. Early booking is highly recommended, especially to visit the Italy Pavilion during peak seasons.
4. Other highlights:
Each country will showcase visionary projects under the common theme. Don’t miss the Japan Pavilion, South Korea, and the UAE, they’re always full of surprises.
Biennale di Venezia and Japan: a long-standing connection
The relationship between La Biennale di Venezia and Japan has deep historical roots. Since the early 20th century, Japanese artists have graced the Venice exhibitions, bringing a touch of the East to the heart of Europe.
So it’s no surprise that Osaka, a vibrant and futuristic yet deeply traditional city, would host this cultural bridge. “Nest of Silence” is the perfect embodiment of that East–West artistic harmony.
What to taste in Osaka while visiting the Venice Biennale
Since we're always curious about local cuisine, here are must-try foods if you find yourself in Osaka:
1: Okonomiyaki
A savory pancake made with cabbage, meat or seafood, and topped with special sauces. A beloved local dish.
2: Takoyaki
Crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside octopus balls. A popular street food perfect for snacking on the go.
3: Kushikatsu
Skewered and deep-fried veggies, meats, or cheese—dipped in sweet-savory sauce. Quick, tasty, and very Osaka.
How the Biennale will bring Venice to Osaka
Venezia will also be symbolically present within the installation. From the textures and materials to the ambient sounds, the piece will subtly evoke the Venetian lagoon: the ripples of water, the silence of the alleys at dusk, the distant songs of gondoliers.
The message is clear: while Venice won’t be physically there, it will be spiritually embedded in the very heart of “Nest of Silence.”
La Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka: shaping a future of meaning
The “Nest of Silence” project is also a bold statement. It challenges the very notion of what an exhibition can be-centering not on noise and display, but on experience, introspection, and stillness.
In a world obsessed with speed, competition, and constant stimulation, the Biennale dares to ask: what happens if we just pause and listen?
It’s a poetic, profound gesture that touches each of us. Whether you’re an artist, a traveler, a dreamer, or just curious - it speaks directly to your soul.
La Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka: Final thoughts
Dear travelers, la Biennale di Venezia at Expo 2025 Osaka is more than just a cultural event. It’s a voyage into silence, into beauty, into the possibility of a more connected, more human, more meaningful world.
Whether you plan to experience it in person in Japan, or follow the project from afar, this is one of the most significant international artistic moments of the decade.
So, are you ready to enter the Nest of Silence?