[caption id="attachment_7614" align="alignright" width="421" caption="The buildings at the Sale d'Armi complex, Arsenale, Venice"][/caption]

Two articles report on moves by China, India and other countries to try and secure new national pavilions at the Venice Biennale.

In an article for The Guardian, Tom Kington reports that the Venice Biennale may offer permanent pavilions to China, India and other countries.

In The Art Newspaper, it is reported that the Venice Biennale is to grant permanent space to new national pavilions in the Arsenale. Long-term concessions will be offered in return for funding the renovation works to the buildings. A number of South American, Asian and Gulf states are believed to be applicants for the new concessions.

Currently, 32 countries exhibit in the biennale’s permanent pavilions in the Giardini while other countries use spaces in the Arsenale and around the city.  The biennale restoration project involves the recovery of the Arsenale’s central body, the Sale d’Armi complex.