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VENICE, ITALY - 1 JUNE 2013: Cardboard furniture designed by artist Yassen Wami (40) of the artistic partnership WAMI, is here in a room of the Iraq Pavilion at Ca' Dandolo in Venice, Italy, on June 1st 2013.

WAMI is an artistic partnership founded by Yassen Wami and Hashim Teeh, who work together to make installations of furniture from new and used carboard. The poor material and basic, minimalist style they prefer are entirely at odds with a popular taste in Iraq for gilded home furnishings. Their ethos of "making do and getting by" - articulated with great wit - is a far cry from incongruous aspration.

"Welcome to Iraq" is the exhibition showcasing the works of eleven contemporary artists living and working inside Iraq curated by Jonathan Watkins, at the Iraqi Pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia.
Iraq is insinuated into the exhibition space at the Iraqi Pavillon, creating a salon atmoshpere where visitors can sit, read and learn about Iraqi culture and drink tea. In collaboration with the Iraqi National Library and Archive book and comica are available to read.

The 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale takes place in Venice from June 1st to November 24th, 2013 at the Giardini and at the Arsenale as well as in various venues the city.

Gianni Cipriano for The New York TImes

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©2013 Gianni Cipriano / The New York Times
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20130527_NYT_Venice-Biennale
VENICE, ITALY - 1 JUNE 2013: Cardboard furniture designed by artist Yassen Wami (40) of the artistic partnership WAMI, is here in a room of the Iraq Pavilion at Ca' Dandolo in Venice, Italy, on June 1st 2013. <br /> <br /> WAMI is an artistic partnership founded by Yassen Wami and Hashim Teeh, who work together to make installations of furniture from new and used carboard. The poor material and basic, minimalist style they prefer are entirely at odds with a popular taste in Iraq for gilded home furnishings. Their ethos of "making do and getting by" - articulated with great wit - is a far cry from incongruous aspration. <br /> <br /> "Welcome to Iraq" is the exhibition showcasing the works of eleven contemporary artists living and working inside Iraq curated by Jonathan Watkins, at the Iraqi Pavilion at the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia.<br /> Iraq is insinuated into the exhibition space at the Iraqi Pavillon, creating a salon atmoshpere where visitors can sit, read and learn about Iraqi culture and drink tea. In collaboration with the Iraqi National Library and Archive book and comica are available to read.<br /> <br /> The 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale takes place in Venice from June 1st to November 24th, 2013 at the Giardini and at the Arsenale as well as in various venues the city. <br /> <br /> Gianni Cipriano for The New York TImes