It doesn’t make so much sense to write this as a chronological diary so I am instead culling from my notes which now bring us to the theme of the national pavilions. Venice started holding the biennale at the end […]
An essential part of Biennale are the many receptions that the pavilions and assorted foundations and exhibitions host. These take place throughout the three days of the preview and create definite focal points that punctuate an otherwise endless schedule of […]
To wind up here are a few final observations. Tied up on the waterfront next to Arsenale are a line of hyper-expensive boats. First among them is Sea Force One. It is first because it has the distinction of having […]
My journey to the Gatwick already offered something: a gift that should not be ignored. There was a young woman sitting in front of me on the seats prioritised for disabled and older people. She was sitting by the window […]
The Biennale has proven to be quite easy to get into as gate security is not as rigid as it could be. With just one copy of the preview invitation it was possible to get multiple people in using the […]
Performance does feature in the Biennale but it is usually rather safe and of secondary importance unless you step outside the official sites. Rather than a national pavilion presenting the work of a performance artist, live performance, when present at […]
The Infr’action Venezia Festival presented quite different sorts of performances to those found within the national pavilions. It is a dedeicated performance art festival which ran parallel to the preview days of the Biennale for the second time. It mostly […]
Peter Heslip, Arts Council England’s new Director of Visual Arts, oversees a portfolio of 144 funded visual arts organisations and leads on museum funding in London. Two months into his new job, and on his first day in the office after a trip to Venice, we talk to him about supporting artists, communicating with the public and the realities of the current funding environment.
Wales in Venice pavilion, Venice
28 May – 24 November 2013
Week 35: 13th – 19th MayThis week was all about forums and reading groups, beginning with a group discussion about EARN (the European Art Research Network) and the projects that we might produce as part of an international collaboration with […]
In a major speech, the Scottish Government’s Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has defended the idea of art for art’s sake and attacked the UK Government’s focus on the economic value of culture.
Ludoteca Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, Venice
1 June – 24 November 2013
The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, which reopened last year after a £5million redevelopment, has won the Art Fund’s £100,000 Museum of the Year prize.
THOUGHTS 1. The stones haven’t grown, I might need to be a bit more scientific about providing the right conditions for life to start. 2. The job is fine. Today is my day off at the end of week 2. […]
Fear of public backlash and potential loss of funding is leading to direct and indirect forms of censorship, according to a new report.
La Biennale di Venezia, 30124 Venezia
1 June 2013 to 24 November 2013
The Encyclopaedia of Palaces When Versailles was built, this ridiculously grand palace, with acres of looking glass, gold and malachite had no water closet and King and servant alike often shat on the Pavonazza marble stairs. For me Venice is […]
Continued… To enter The Encyclopedic Palace in the Giardini: I walk through the atrium of paintings by Carl Jung. Facsimiles of his drawings with greasy fingerprints intact, rather like the new publication of Nabakov’s coffee ringed manuscripts.The paintings are displayed […]
OSR Project Space Old School Room, West Coker, Somerset, BA22 9BD
11 May – 2 June 2013
Karen MacKinnon has been appointed Director of the Artes Mundi international visual arts exhibition and prize.
Working internationally is key to the development of many artists’ practice, but without gallery representation the hurdles are considerable. With the 55th Venice Biennale soon to open, we speak to three artists – including one showing in Venice – about the challenges of working abroad without a gallery, and also get the views of an independent curator.
Bruce Nauman – “Double Steel Cage” Nauman’s Double Steel Cage was suggested for me to look at right at this project … and is included in two of my four sketchbooks as this piece s quite influencial in terms of […]
The UK’s newest photography festival, Diffusion, has just opened to the public in Cardiff. We speak to its director, David Drake, about opportunities, challenges and what sets it apart from the rest.
Since my last post I have been willingly distracted by various things such as Alton Towers, Venice, working, spending the money earnt when working etc. By the time I came back after Easter I found I was suddenly apprehensive to […]
6 December 2011. 3331 Chiyoda, Tokyo. Edited transcript of recorded interview.
As part of Joshua Sofaer’s Artist as Leader research, Masato Nakamura discusses his commitment to transforming the art education system in Japan, and the inauguration of a new model of art centre “founded on the basis of artist leadership”.
