It is back and bigger than ever. It has new participating countries and a message being communicated to the living artists with the help of three of Tintoretto's major canvases that will be displayed at the Central Pavilion. President, Paolo Baratta, states that these huge canvases by Tintoretto, who is considered as one of Italian history's most experimental artists, will be used "as a warning to living artists not to indulge in convention". The three works to be displayed are the Stealing of the Dead Body of St. Mark, the Creation of the Animals and the Last Supper.

Now, what of the title of the event this year? ILLUMInations? Director, Bice Coriger, explains "... it draws attention to the current developments in international art and the importance of such developments in a globalized world". She then comments of the use of nations within the title and that it "applies metaphorically to recent developments in the arts all over the world where overlapping groups form collectives of people representing a wide variety of smaller, more local activities and mentalities". An interesting concept, which will be uncovered as the event unfolds over the coming months.

With so much to chose from as always at La Biennale it can be difficult to prioritise your time effectively to avoid any arguements with those you are sharing the experience with or even for those who are going to soak up the atmosphere on their own.

Our list of ones to watch has come from our insider down at the world celebrated event, Gilda Manfring, who has written for us before. Her judgement can be trusted and so we feel confident in taking this advice. These recommendations come with little explanation and a mere overview as it is up to you, the audience, to discover these marvels and create your own opinions.

For any Pinocchio and Moby Dick fans out there La Biennale has something that might tickle your fancy by Loris Gréaud, a French artist, who has created Geppetto Pavilion, a life-size replica of a whale next to the waters of Venice. It has to be seen to be believed.

Monica Bonvicini has drawn, in part, inspiration from the elaborate stairs depicted in Tintoretto’s The Presentation of the Virgin and created a large-scale installation using different medias to immerse the viewer into the magnificance of her piece Untitled (15 Steps to Virgin).

Using nine Microfilm readers, Elisabetta Benassi an Italian artist, displays information on the backs of hundreds of press photographs. Vague information, yes, but this is something that has been said to be of utmost interest.

The Clock by Christian Marclay is a 24-hour piece composed of film in which characters interact with timepieces, whether they be looking at their watches, looking at a wall mounted clock or with a clock seen clearly within the frame.

Gelatin Pavilion – Some Like It Hot by GELITIN, a collective of four artists who met in 1978 and have been exhibiting internationally since 1993.  Some Like It Hot  involves a glass-melting furnace that operates continuously for the first week of La Biennale.

These are just five artists of the many that we have been recommend for you to see. We shall be introducing other artists in the upcoming weeks so keep your eyes fixed firmly on Swide.com. Until then let the art start. 

Credits - www.labiennale.org

Text - by Ben Taylor. 

For more on La Biennale.