Tremble Tremble

Tremble Tremble was an exhibition curated by Tessa Giblin for the Irish pavilion of the 57th Venice Biennale 2017. The exhibition was a collaboration between Giblin and the Irish artist Jesse Jones. It built on Giblin’s curatorial practice of ‘exhibition dramaturgy’ – methods of theatricalising contemporary art installations and enhancing their effects through modes of performance and immersion. The exhibition explored the relation between women’s struggles in the 21st century and the oppression of women in the middle ages, with a focus on the witch trials. It was developed in the context of the national conversation about women’s rights in Ireland, amidst the intensifying debates concerning the right to abortion. The exhibition brought this politically charged backdrop to the international stage. Following its Venice presentation – seen by audiences of over 600,000 – the exhibition toured internationally to four prestigious venues.