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The Venice Biennale opened last weekend for the 57th edition, the most important exhibition in the world.
Every edition has a curator and a theme, this year is a woman, Christine Macel, and the title is “Viva arte viva” and it is inspired by humanism: “a humanism that celebrates man’s ability through the ‘Art, not to be dominated by the forces that govern what is happening in the world.’
The Biennale will remain open to the public until November 26 and will take place at the Gardens of the Arsenal in Venice where National pavilions are located (120 artists from 51 countries) and tremendous number of events and exhibitions around the city!
Gaggiandre dell’Arsenale. Photo Andrea Avezzù, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Giardini dell’Arsenale. Photo Francesco Galli, courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
The Biennale is the most visited art event, plan your visit well and do not think to see everything in just one day… there is time until November to be able to visit it, dive in the magic Biennale atmosphere, enjoy Venice and feel the art.
Arsenale. Photo Italo Rondinella. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
The daily ticket costs 25 € with reductions for the elderly and under 26 (14 €) but you can choose the two days ticket for 30/22 € while the weekly ticket costs 40 €. If you are lucky enough and you will go to Venice many times, I recommend the pass that will last until November: 80 € (50 € for residents, 45 € for students and under 26). Admission is free for children up to 6 years old.
The Biennale is certainly for me among the things not to be missed in the coming months. I’m reading so much about it but I do not know what pavilions or exhibitions recommend you. Certainly worthy of note is the work of Danish artist Olafur Eliasson who brings to Venice an art workshop focused on immigration. Eight participants from Nigeria, Gambia, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan and China are invited to participate and make lamps designed by the artist with recyclable and sustainable materials that will be for sale for 250 euros. The proceeds will be donated to charities associations that help refugees.
Workshop Olafur Eliasson. Photo Francesco Galli. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Workshop Olafur Eliasson. Photo Francesco Galli. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Arsenale. Photo Italo Rondinella. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Ernesto Neto. Photo Andrea Avezzù. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Padiglione Stati Uniti. Photo Francesco Galli. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Padiglione Giappone. Photo Francesco Galli. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Padiglione Italia. Roberto Cuoghi. Photo Italo Rondinella. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Padiglione Paesi Nordici. Photo Francesco Galli. Courtesy La Biennale di Venezia
Every year great attention (and criticism) goes to Italian pavilion. This year is curated by Cecilia Alemani, (such a female Biennale!), she made a big statement choosing just 3 artists. She believes that there is no more an exclusively Italian art, artists adopt a global language. I really like this idea of the global language of art. That’s why you have to go to the Biennale, even if you are not an art expert!
You have to look, breathe, live and feel art. Fill your eyes and heart, dive in and discovery the biggest exhibition of international art!
One of the things I want to see (and that you can not miss!) is surely the huge installation (super Instagram) by Lorenzo Quinn “Support”: two arms rise from the waters of the Canal Grande and symbolically support the hotel Ca ‘Sagredo. Quinn want to raise awareness of climate change which puts Venice at risk too.
Lorenzo Quinn “Support”, Canal Grande
Let me know what you think! 😉
Enjoy!