Venice, Italy

This spent this past weeked in Venice for La Biennale di Venezia finally completing my Grand Tour 2007 (I didn't go to Art Basel, it's pretty much a repeat of the Armory Show, which I saw in February). Considering the lack lustre reviews the show was given, I was happy to find that I didn't share the majority opinion of the critics. I found the Robert Storr (the director) to be very forthright in his vision for the Biennale to not be concerned so much with globalism and art, but rather, contemporary art "in the present tense" as he puts it. After seeing the show, I have to admit I appreciate the format of National Pavillions, with each sponsoring country curating a mini show, and then the all-inclusive show art the Arsenale.

We had really beautiful weather in Venice, about 65 degrees and sunny. It's still tourist season in Venice, the city was packed, but since the Biennale has been up since June it wasn't too busy. I didn't have enough time to make it through all of the show, let alone get to see the sights, but I did manage to wander aroud the town and not get lost, or fall into a canal. Although on the ferry ride out of Venice on Sunday I sat outside on the bow of the boat, to enjoy the sunset over the grand canal, a tug boat cut past us and sent off a pretty good wake, which allowed our boat to get about 8 feet out of th water and then land. I, of course, realized that we were in for a pretty big back splash, got up to turn away and didn't make it in time. Consequently, I was soaked, no one else who was sitting outside got wet, I took it for the team. I walk back into the cabin and everyone turns around, looks at me, and laughs, then I realize that it looks like I peed myself. Oh well, at least I had a clean change of clothes back at the bus and, most imporartly, I didn't fall into a canal.

We got in early Monday, about 4 am, so after two and a half hours of sleep I went into the Academy. I was happy to find that the work that was being down to our studio space, had indeed been completed and I was able to get my little area in order. I spent much of the day working on sketches and maquettes for a few pieces. There is an competition from a company in Zagreb that wants a scultpure student from the Academy to design a 20 sq. cm bronze piece to give as gifts to important clientele for Christmas. I'm also kicking around the idea of doing a carved stone piece while I'm here, we'll see what happens.

Pictures from Venice to be posted soon, until later,
--AM