A death in the poolAtmosphere atmosphere

For four months, Venice is planning in the 21st century with the largest event dedicated to contemporary art.

There is no event of this magnitude all over the planet. During more than four months, the city of the Doges, sublime sleeping lives of illustrious memories, resolutely turned towards the future. Venice is the seat of the Biennale of contemporary art, 53rd of the name, the oldest and largest event devoted to the current establishment. The hard core of the operation consists of the national pavilions, managed by the countries themselves according to the principle of a universal exhibition, at the Giardini; and of an exhibition at the Arsenal giga, which complete the statement of the Commissioner of the Edition this year the Swedish in Frankfurt Daniel Birnbaum.

Plethora of events, performances of countries, exhibitions organized by galleries and collectors flower in addition to almost every street corner. There are many things to see. May be too much. Of the spectacular, the colorful, films, installations, sensations mass, everywhere... This event in which the world wants to participate frieze overproduction, and the eye is quickly jaded. Will, Daniel Birnbaum signature not mark the annals by its radicalism or his Excellency. However, there is this year many interesting things.

Places of sensations

Significant trend: the establishment of places of sensations. In the past a table was the vector of specific feelings, if now spaces inhabited sounds, lights, objects and smells which lead to this result even sometimes. The representative of the French pavilion, Claude Lévêque, belongs to this wave. The artist born in 1953, best known for the French stage, has a sensitive but also, in a certain way, militant remarks. He has called his work "Le Grand Soir" "a French concept that refers to a moment of social breakdown. Enigmatic work which leaves the room for multiple interpretations. It is quality, but seems to have been poorly perceived, in the early days by professionals.

Claude Lévêque built a large prison and the Viewer is a prisoner at the center of the Pavilion. At each end, behind the Gates a black flag in the wind. He is accompanied by a motor boat noise. The pirate boat crosses Pavilion prisoners spectators of their eyes. The artist said: "art allows to resist thinking formatting and to change society." But it is a very small possibility. "The idea of the boat escapes it seems to many viewers who do not understand the message. Damage.

A death in the pool

Atmosphere, atmosphere... The Nordic countries are grouped under a same banner to transform two pavilions in a huge apartment furnished in a style "bourgeois design" but which presents intriguing anomalies. Twenty-four artists participated at the initiative of two of them, Elmgreen & Dragset. Thus, a death fleet in the pool. The huge dining room table is split across its width a trap for guests and in the garage an axe rises to you when you open the door.

The English flag has chosen to show a film by Steve Mc Queen Director, film, the excellent "Hunger", on the Irish Bobby Sands. A lengthy statement contemplative on the Biennale Giardini when they are deserted it is the ambient profusion. The Americans have taken a "giant" of the art of the 20th century to represent Bruce Nauman (born 1941), who also won the lion d'Or of the best Pavilion this year. Of course, his work, conceptual, is crucial. But is this really the vocation of the biennial show a confirmed artist The Spain shows still more traditional paintings and sculptures of Miguel Barcelo. Very beautiful terracotta gross, but it is a good Gallery exhibition. Nothing more. The biennial expected exception.

Until November 22.

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Judith Benhamou-Huet on