2005 Venice Biennale
8 April 2007 | culture, art | No Comments
Recently, I aswered questions about the Venice Biennale in the Lonely Planet Travel Forum, and I thought I’d offer it up here as well:
I have been to the Biennale the last couple of times, and I really, really wanted to go this year!…but no. I guess 2007 is the next time for me…. So, when to go? I can’t say that I’ve been in either July or August. It’s so hot and humid then. Also, August brings a crush of people. I went once in early September and once in early October. the October trip was fantastic because the pavilions had plenty of people, but it didn’t feel at all crowded.
Although I loved the Biennale in October for the easy access to the art, I loved the Biennale in September for the glamour. Why? Because September is the month that coincides with the film festival. As you may know, the festival has a pretty broad selection of movies including blockbusters, so I wouldn’t call it high-brow, but it is damn fun to go to a movie premier in one of the 19th century casinos that are scattered along the Lido. Actually, most of the movies in the festival are on the Lido and not in Venice, but it is a great excuse to explore that thin spit of land. First, the views of Venice are breathtaking at dusk. Then, the casinos themselves bring the excitement of human drama. There is a thrill I get seeking out the movie stars, but just watching the paparazzi gossiping between premiers was fascinating to me. In fact, just the process of procuring a ticket made me feel like I was being let in on a part of some ancient royal court.
One final though: I think that mid to late September is really the best time because this time coincides with the grape harvest in other parts of Italy. You make ask the Toscana APT for information, but as I recall, there are tons of food and wine festivals happening at this time. I mean tons. Maybe 20 or 30 good ones all over Tuscany. It’s a pretty easy train ride to get there from Venice, too.
For some further reading:
Here’s a link that you may have seen, but here it is: Venice Biennale
Here’s a blurb from Art Forum
Good article from New York Press
An article about from the first timer perspective from the Guardian
And from the BBC website, an article titled "European Angst Explored in Venice"
This should be a good bit of inspiration
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