Contemporary Art in Venice - Biennale 2013

 

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For some art enthusiasts visiting Venice, it's all about seeing Titians and Tintorettos...but for others, especially during La Biennale, it's all about Contemporary Art. 

Marc Quinn, Breath, Isola di San Giorgio  via

The 55th International Art Exhibition is being held in over fifty locations around Venice from June 1 - November 24, 2013. The two main locations for the exhibitions are Arsenale and Giardini.  Many of the installations which are juxtaposed against the backdrop of classic Venetian architecture, creating a striking contrast of past and present.  The exhibition includes pavilions from over 80 countries around the world.
 



John Pawson, Perspectives, Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore via

This year's exhibition is themed The Encyclopedic Palace and is curated by Massimiliano Gioni. He was inspired bythe utopian dream of artist Marino Auriti, who filed a design with the U.S. Patent office in 1955 depicting his Palazzo Enciclopedico (The Encyclopedic Palace), an imaginary museum that was meant to house all worldly knowledge.

 

Still photo taken from Shoja Azari, King of Black via

Richard Mosse, The Enclave via

Actress Milla Jovovich in a performance piece by Tara Subkoff via

In addition to the International Art Exhibition, La Biennale also features Architecture, Cinema, Theater, Music and Dance.

 



Rudolf Stingel, Palazzo Grassi via



Rudolf Stingel, Palazzo Grassi via   Rudolf Stingel, Palazzo Grassi via

The Francois Pinault Foundation showcases contemporary art at the Palazzo Grassi and Punta Della Dogana.  Though it is not technically part of the Biennale, an exhibit at the Palazzo Grassi during the Biennale features a solo show by Rudolf Stingel in which he takes over the entire exhibition space at the Palazzo Grassi, covering the walls, floors and ceilings with oriental carpets, from which he showcases his haunting grey, black and white abstract paintings. This exhibit runs until December 31, 2013.



Have you ever been to Venice during the Biennale? I will be there in September...it will be interesting to visit during the exhibition, although I must admit I may prefer to re-visit La Scuola Grande di San Rocco to see the remarkable Tintoretto paintings adorning its ceiling and walls.