The winners of the debut Chanel Next Prize were celebrated last week at the pre-opening for the Venice Biennale. The 10 recipients were each awarded $100,000 to go toward their creative endeavors.
The winners were Jung Jae-il, Keiken, Lual Mayen, Marlene Monteiro Freitas, Rungano Nyoni, Marie Schleef, Botis Seva, Wang Bing, Eduardo William, and Precious Okoyomon, whose kudzu-covered installation, To See the Earth Before the End of the World, was on view in the biennial.
The winners previewed the exhibition, “The Milk of Dreams,” and were feted at a dinner at the 14th-century Palazzo Zeno, which was hosted by jurors Tilda Swinton and architect David Adjaye. (Chinese multimedia artist Cao Fei also served on the panel.) Artists are nominated by a 25-member anonymous advisory board from worldwide institutions.
There is a wide range of work and media among the winners, including filmmaking, digital game design, dance, poetry, theater. Working with Chanel’s message or oeuvre was not part of the criteria.
The winners will also receive mentorship and networking opportunities through Chanel.