![]() ![]() A “primordial” made of references to the earth, the animal, the plant, the controversies over technological invasiveness, the absence of the human, the maternal generative, the more traditional ethnic roots: all this as a convergence of many works seen in the Biennale. This time, wanting to venture on this still slippery ground, it seems appropriate to dare an adjective: primordial. And yet each edition leaves a sense, an aftertaste, an overall and individual leitmotiv. But a Biennale is… a Biennale! One might add: expecially if it is titled as this time: The milk of dreams! That would be to say a dimension so rich in sensory and intellectual stimuli, that no matter how happy, uncertain or sad they are, they make any synthesis, even if only impressionistic, useless. Well aware of the enormous scope of our question, we did not pretend to find an immediate answer, but we gathered ideas to keep on wandering. And what about art? For contemporary art, does it make sense to distinguish works and authors from democratic countries from works and authors from countries deemed non-democratic? This is the question we tried to ask us by visiting one of the most appropriate occasions to explore the situation of contemporary visual art worldwide: the Venice Biennale. On the other hand, since the beginning of the third millennium there have been authoritative political scientists (such as Colin Crouch) who speak of our era as a post-democratic era, given the innumerable and serious dysfunctions that beset democratic regimes themselves. Even supposedly undemocratic countries, for example, maintain excellent relations with democratic ones, if useful for their strategies. However, the distinction is not so clear-cut. My favourite spots to drink are around the Dorsoduro area, where I live, such as Cantine del Vino Già da Schiav Osteria Ai Pugni, Da Codroma and Alla Bifora, and Cantina Arnaldi.With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the distinction between democratic countries seems to have become more decisive than ever for the destiny of humanity. Normally after painting or a long day, I go to Campo San Polo to drink a nice cold beer at Birraria La Corte.Įlisabetta Barisoni, head of Ca’ Pesaro art gallery, Venice It’s a very quiet, small space that I love to go every time I have a chance. It’s a place for local people, an intimate place where you can eat all the seafood that is typical of the area and introduce yourself to the flavours of Venice. My favourite place to eat is Ostaria a la Campana. If you want a beer, Campari or Spritz or whatever, let the weather be your guide-find a sunny sheltered spot, or go inside if cold… You don’t necessarily go to the same places all the time, even if you are trying to find them. My favourite place to drink is the bar of Il Palazzo Experimental.Ĭliodhna Shaffrey, co-curator of the Irish pavilion Markus Reymann, co-founder and director of TBA21-Academyįor eating out, it’s a close race between Pensione Wildner and Osteria Alle Testiere-food and service are fantastic in both restaurants. ![]() ![]() There I can see half of people I need to see in Venice. What can I say, despite all sorts of recommendations, for drinks I always end up at Harry’s Bar or on some waterfront places like hotel Monaco’s, or Danieli’s terraces. Ziba de Weck, director and curator of Parasol Unit (The blog includes many of my favourites.) Then, on to gelato! Go to the legendary Gelateria Nico on the Zattere, where you can sit on their floating terrace next to the sparkling waters. These local wine bars or small restaurants that offer cicchetti, a colourful and wonderful array of local specialties in the form of small bites or plates, accompanied by an ombra, a small glass of wine, or a Venetian Spritz. My favourite way to eat in Venice is to take a little tour of neighbourhood bacari. When I was there, I felt strongly that you should not eat anywhere that wasn’t a Hilton breakfast buffet dining room, why would you? For drinks, you can get a room temperature Coke with lemon in it in loads of places, I seem to remember. Louise Bonnet, artist taking part in The Milk of Dreamsįull disclaimer: I have been to Venice only once, when I was 12 with my parents. It’s convenient for an artist like me who spends most of the time at the Biennale exhibitions, at Giardini and Arsenale. You can still sense a bit of a local atmosphere there.īar Paradiso is right next to Giardini-it’s an iconic place also with its own exhibition space. Having a Bellini or a Spritz at Campo Santo Stefano, which is a nice walk away from Giardini and Arsenale, is a must. I have many favourites in Venice, but there’s a very casual and small restaurant Gibran, in Castello, Calle del Cafetier, which I visit year after year. Pilvi Kalhama, executive director of Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Finland
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