John Cale unveils his installation, ‘Dyddiau Du/Dark Days’ at the Venice Biennale

Following six months of intense preparation, John Cale has unveiled a new, specially commissioned film and sound installation for Wales at the Venice Biennale of Art.

Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, AM, welcomed guests to the first official showing of the work, at the Welsh pavilion, which is located in an old brewery building, the Ex-Birreria, on the island of Giudecca. Around 400 people attended one of the most highly anticipated events of the Biennale, with music provided by DJ’s Llwybr Llaethog, Y Diwygiad [Ed Holden/Aneirin Karadog] and Bethan Elfyn.

It wasn’t only the international art world that had its first viewing of Dyddiau Du/Dark Days, this was also the first time that the Commissioner for Wales at Venice, Mari Beynon Owen, had seen the completed installation:

“I had agreed with John Cale not to have a preview of the work before going to Venice because I knew that seeing and hearing the work in the Capannone space would be a unique experience. It is an extremely powerful piece which will undoubtedly provoke strong responses.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s been less than six months since we started the production work. Everyone has worked extremely hard to bring the artist’s ideas to fruition in a very short time and for me personally it has been an extremely rewarding experience to work with John and the team.’’

Dyddiau Du/Dark Days is a personal reflection on Cale’s relationship with Wales, the Welsh language and its unique bardic tradition. Curator, Bruce Haines, said:

‘’I know that everyone who makes the short journey across the Giudecca Canal will be rewarded with probably the most tangibly physical experience of an audio visual art work that they will have ever had.’’

Working with cinematographer Bevis Bowden, Cale undertook a series of cathartic physical performances to create a work which became an intensely emotional journey for the artist as John explains:

“This was for me an extraordinary adventure into my past, exploring that which has never been removed -the ties to ones heritage and self. I hope all of Wales will feel the pride I do in being offered the opportunity to present my work at the Pavilion”.

Attending the Venice Biennale for the first time, Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, AM, was impressed by the Welsh presence at the Biennale, and recognised the importance of providing an international platform for Welsh artists:

“John Cale is very well-known for his music, but this installation reveals him as a multi-dimensional artist of some measure. I felt that it has much to say about his relationship with his homeland and its culture. It’s an honour for John to represent Wales at the Biennale and it’s an honour for Wales to have John as our representative at this important event.”

John Cale: Wales at Venice is produced and managed by the Arts Council of Wales with support from the Welsh Assembly Government, British Council, Wales Arts International and with coordination in Venice by Nuova Icona.