We got out nice and early heading for the Giardini, the other site of the official Biennale of Art 2024.

Stopping for coffee in Campo Giovanni e Paolo brings lots of memories.

We trudged through the back streets of Castello and finally came to the Riva on the Grand Canal where we could walk straight to the Biennale site.

Donna took the lead and we headed straight to the USA pavilion, so alive with the works of Jeffrey Gibson, an American Cherokee/Mississippi Choctaw Indian.  Out front were these big red shapes with a sizable sign saying “Do Not Climb,” yet we saw children on them all day long.

Inside, the colors, textures, varying materials and shapes were gorgeous.  Taking our time to interpret the very unusual, but ultimately readable, font made us engage more with each work.

This one says, The Great Spirit is in All Things:

There was a video of dancers with rhythmic music.  The nine screens sometimes made a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors. His gorgeous and poignant work was, itself, worth the price of admission.

We grabbed some panini and sat out in the patio to eat.  Next stop was the main Biennale Pavilion.  The outside looks like this:

There was a big room with historic photos and videos from Puerto Rico.  And many other rooms with random art.  I thought this wall hanging by Liz Collins looked like a hurricane.

Upstairs were two rooms with just portraits.  It was somehow refreshing looking into human eyes after seeing all of the abstract works.

The Israeli exhibit had this sign, with Italian soldiers stationed at the front of the exhibit; look for their reflection in the window:

We went into France and Czech Republic before going into Japan.  Electrodes in these table of rotting fruit were producing sounds.  There were quite a few of these tables as well as a large work about leaky water that also made some faint sounds.  I liked the overall effect.

I enjoy this part of the Biennale with the different nations representing their culture in the same space every two years.  It reminds me of a going to the World’s Fair in New York as a child.

We made the 40 minute walk home.  My feet were screaming at me so I really needed the rest time.

Vini da Gigio remains my favorite Venetian restaurant, and we had a very festive and delicious farewell dinner including a bit too much wonderful Lugana wine. 

Donna really wanted to get organized but, Vicki stayed here with us for a good while.

It’s been wonderful having our two great friends here!