We are going to Venice in a few days. What is the Biennielle? Where is it? Do you need to purchase tickets in advance or can you get tickets the day of? How long to spend?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17580 posts
The Biennali is a collection of exhibits and installations around Venice, mostly in the Giardini and Arsenale area. It alternates between Art and Architecture as a focus, with each one occurring every other year. Even years, like this one, are Architecture. Each country entering has a pavilion or other spot for their exhibit, sort of like a Worlds Fair.
http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2018/information
You do not need to purchase tickets in advance; just decide when you get there if you are interested in seeing it. You can also watch for free exhibits scattered around Venice when you are wandering; some of them are very interesting.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8028 posts
It could be said that the Art Biennale is a little bit more famous, but that may be due to the number of art museums and dealers and rich collectors all around the world. Architecture is a big ticket purchase (I mean, to build a building on land ... .... ) and one-time for many people, if more frequent for Real Estate investors. I'm not comparing "art" quality or "importance", I'm just making a comment about a tourism destination. (I went to the Venice Art Biennale in 2018. It was quite crowded, even after the end of August. I agree that advance purchase is not essential. I was with an art tour, so we spent all of three days at the Biennale.)
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
The Architecture Biennale is very much about the philosophy and practice of architecture, and how architecture relates to other societal concerns. There is no real “Better Homes and Gardens” focus, much more it is about how to make the built environment work better.
In 2016, for instance, the Belgian pavilion had an installation about how to make long term UN peacekeeping missions work better. When a mission is established, a secure self contained compound is needed. But as time progresses, security can be relaxed, and the compound infrastructure can also help the community. Eventually the mission pulls out, leaving community assets.
2016, Australia’s contribution was a swimming pool. Pools in Aus are our shared spaces, our piazzas. The German pavilion was all about how refugees can be housed and encouraged to become citizens.
This year, the Vatican has an installation, ten chapels in the garden of the ex-monastery of San Giorgio. I’ve seen the photos; they look quite inspirational.
I am going to Venice in September for a couple of weeks for the Archi Biennale. It really grabs me at an intellectual level.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
How long to spend?
To do it justice, probably a day at the Giardini and a day at the Arsenale would be a minimum. At both venues there are cafes and the food is good and inexpensive cafes (baguette and spritz for five euro or so).
As you walk around Venie you will come across other national venues, and the signs are easy to recognise. Just walk in, it is a way of getting in to many buildings that are otherwise closed to the public.