11 May 2015

One million people expected at Tuvalu's Venice Biennale pavilion

11:48 am on 11 May 2015

More than one million people are expected to pass through a pavilion for Tuvalu at one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions -- the 56th Venice Biennale.

The pavilion, by Taiwanese artist Vincent Huang, contains a turquoise pool that is crossed by two paths that submerge slightly when walked across, which Mr Huang says represents the plight of Tuvalu in facing rising sea levels caused by climate change.

Mr Huang says he hopes the massive crowds expected at the Biennale will learn of the challenges Tuvalu is facing as a result of a problem it did little to create.

"I started to create to assist the tiny island nation to get more international attention. The theme of this year's Venice Biennale is 'all the world's future.' So it's a sinking nation combined with a sinking city, which is Venice here."

Vincent Huang says he was inspired by a speech by, Ian Fry, Tuvalu's representative at the 2009 UN climate change conference in Denmark, in which he said "the fate of my country rests in your hands."

Tuvalu pavilion at Biennale

Tuvalu pavilion at Biennale Photo: supplied