USA makes surprise choice for Venice Biennale 2011

The Puerto Rico-based duo Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla have been named as the US representatives at the Venice Biennale 2011, reports the New York Times. After Bruce Nauman's Golden Lion-winning exhibition last year, the choice of Allora and Calzadilla, who are known for their politically inflected work, often involving musical elements, represents a rather bolder, less safe, choice of artist than in recent years. Allora is a native of Pennsylvania whilst Calzadilla was born in Cuba.