ART! ART! ART!

Well, we did it. All the non-country pavilion art in both the Giardini and the Arsenale. I’ve taken a gazillion photos (well, hundreds) and I’m not going to post them all here. What I am going to do is share a few thoughts and pose a couple of questions.

If I had to pick a favourite? God, that would be tough, but if I absolutely had to, I guess it would be Laurie Anderson’s room. (It seems I am an old hippie.)

The person chosen to curate the 2026 Biennale was Koyo Kouoh. She died suddenly last year, but left a very clear vision which others have fulfilled. Part of that vision was to feature many African artists, which the Biennale does.

One, Mmakgabo Mmapula Helen Sebidi (known as Ma Sebidi), is the creator of several canvasses I could actually imagine having in my home.

By far the most ubiquitous artist (from Africa or any other continent) is Werewere Liking.

Werewere was everywhere with sculptures, paintings…

… and even, as we discovered during last pass through yesterday, a lamp.

I have photos of dozens and dozens more artworks by African artists. I think it is great that all the Italian and German and French and British and North American people attending the Biennale are being introduced to this work. I also think it’s a bit of a pity that so few of the attendees are actually from Africa.

Here’s an interesting (I think) question. Many of the country pavilions feature art focussed on decolonisation, reclaiming culture and fighting cultural appropriation.

And here, in your face, as you enter the main curated exhibition of this year’s Biennale, is one of Big Chief Demond Melancon’s costumes.

The Arsenale also featured some of his art.

Is Melancon a big chief of the Seminole nation? No, he’s a New Orleans Black Masker. So, I am looking at this costume, thinking “amazing beadwork” and wondering: When is cultural appropriation not cultural appropriation?

Googling reveals little interest in the subject. I guess I need to dig deeper.

Overall it’s been a tad overwhelming. So much ART! ART! ART! Much of it moving, some of it positively thrilling.

Would I do the Biennale again? I do believe I might be persuaded.

As for today? Off to the Peggy Guggenheim for more ART! ART! ART!

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One thing was rather nauseating, but that was the discovery that an artist who, many years ago, did her best to undermine me in every way when we were in high school together was featured more than once. I was so gobsmacked I had to stop and text a friend from back in the day who’d had the same experience. As said friend replied, nowhere is safe. That did make me laugh. Anyway, anyway. Another story for another time. Or not.