The Biennale of Art in Venice is a real treat for me.  The sheer quantity of contemporary artists represented is astounding and a bit overwhelming.  Like most art, there is some you love, some you like and some that really leaves you scratching your head.  This year’s title is “May You Live in Interesting Times” and the work reminds us that we do. Bittersweet.

We walked over to the Arsenale in a light rain, stopping for a quick coffee about half way there.  Donna and I were going faster then Andy and Ken and that proved to be an issue.  They missed our turn to the entrance and went missing for a while, which became an issue as we were, and are, having trouble communicating with WhatsApp.  Finally reunited, and roudly scolded (the boys) we went into the very crowded Arsenale.  I was really glad Donna suggested buying the tickets online because the line was quite long.

Some of the works I liked best really didn’t photograph well, but that may have been me as I tried to look at the art and not my camera. Here are some snap shots:

Overall I found the work to be less than uplifting. There were a lot of representations of oppression and some dystopian themes. It’s our real world in art.

Walking home in a heavier rain we stopped in an unknown chicchetti bar for a satisfying lunch of various “tapas.”  I always love the tuna polpette and grilled vegetables.  Donna got a nice stuffed zucchini flower.

We made it home, shoes pretty soaked, and had a nice rest time.

Our great Venice friend, Nan, came over for a quick visit before dinner. She brought a really nice bottle of prosecco which the three of us drank while catching up.

For dinner, I had made us an “insurance reservation” at Boccadoro which is less than 10 minutes walk away.  With the white table linens, beautiful Murano water glasses and attentive service, it was a good option for us.  Ken and Donna got a large platter of fritto misto, Andy had tagliatelle with clams and I asked if they had razor clams, which was not on the menu. Our server said no problem.  They were cooked very nicely, quickly sauteed with a bit of salad underneath and some small diced tomatoes on top.  I also enjoyed a small bowl of soupy yellow polenta with some olive oil on top.  

There was talk of gelato afterwards, but we started walking in the wrong direction and came home instead for a bit more of Elisa’s wonderful tiramisu.

Again, I wore an inner smile most of the day; even in the rain, Venice moves me.