Every two years Venice hosts the Biennale art festival, this year featuring exhibitions from eighty-six countries. The most well established countries’ contributions are housed in their own pavilions in the Giardini della Biennale or in temporary exhibition space at the Arsenale. Other countries have their exhibitions dotted around the historical centre of the city, in various historical buildings.
While the festival is loosely themed and curated, there is in fact a huge variety of art on display, and while assessment of the quality of this art is somewhat subjective, this too is variable. However, there are some truly inspirational pieces on display and it is worth taking the time to explore.
One of the exhibitions I enjoyed most this year was “Techno Zen” by Hungarian artist Márton Nemes. The photo above is actually two pieces from this exhibit: the three coloured fans in the centre, with their vertical bars either side, are actually in a second room behind the circular ring, which is in the entrance hall. The combined effect is stunning.
I’ve always been slightly ambivalent about the Biennale, I think for two reasons: firstly, the crowds it attracts. I don’t like crowds. And secondly, because it doesn’t really showcase the best art in Venice. This is a city which boasts the Peggy Guggenheim collection; the Accademia; Ca Rezzonico; Museo Correr; Museo di Palazzo Fortune; … etc. etc. … as well as hundreds of churches which house original works by some of the greatest Italian painters, many dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
The simple truth is, Venice is always a great place to visit for its art. The Biennale adds an additional layer to the cake, but it’s not the icing and nor is it the cherry on top.
This may be of interest .. 