57th Venice Biennale
"The Objects of Desire"
As part of Personal Structures, organized by the European Cultural Centre during the 57th Venice Biennale (2017), Beatriz Gerenstein presented The Objects of Desire, a site-specific installation composed of seven unique sculptural handbags.
Blending irony, beauty, and social commentary, the work explores the role of luxury accessories as symbols of identity, status, and aspiration. Through handcrafted bronze forms finished with gold patinas, semi-precious stones, and exotic feathers, Gerenstein transforms the familiar handbag into a poetic reflection on desire, femininity, and the values that shape contemporary culture.
The Objects of Desire. Bronze, 24K Gold, Semiprecious Stones, Exotic Feathers, Leather
The Objects of Desire was conceived as an exploration of the relationship between identity, consumer culture, and the universal human desire for beauty and self-expression. In contemporary society, handbags have evolved far beyond their practical function, becoming powerful cultural symbols associated with status, aspiration, and personal identity. Across social classes, cultures, and generations, they have become objects of longing—items capable of communicating success, taste, and belonging.
Rather than reproducing luxury handbags as they exist today, Beatriz Gerenstein approached the subject from an unexpected perspective. She reduced the concept of the handbag to its most primitive essence, imagining what such an object might have looked like in a distant ancestral past. The resulting sculptures appear to be constructed from branches and natural fibers, evoking an archaic, almost prehistoric aesthetic. Yet these seemingly primitive forms are cast in bronze and enriched with luminous 24-karat gold patinas, semi-precious stones, and exotic feathers, creating a striking contrast between simplicity and luxury, antiquity and desire.
Through this juxtaposition, Gerenstein introduces both humor and reflection. The sculptures question the nature of value and beauty while revealing how deeply rooted the desire for adornment and self-representation is within the human experience. The installation celebrates femininity while simultaneously inviting viewers to consider the social and cultural forces that transform everyday objects into coveted symbols.
For its presentation at the historic Palazzo Mora, a four-century-old Venetian palace, Gerenstein designed the installation to resemble an exclusive luxury boutique. Each sculptural handbag was displayed individually on a dark gray pedestal and protected by a transparent plexiglass case, while carefully positioned spotlights highlighted the unique character of every piece. This museum-like display heightened the sense of exclusivity and desire surrounding the objects, reinforcing the exhibition's central theme. Set within the rich architectural context of Venice, The Objects of Desire created a compelling dialogue between contemporary sculpture, luxury culture, and the timeless human impulse to seek beauty, distinction, and meaning through the objects we cherish.
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