Saturday, June 11, 2011

Top Ten: Venice Biennale 2011

1 Ho Tzu Nyen - Singapore Pavillion
The cloud of the unknowing was the most exhilerating, beautifully shot moment of total cinema I have ever experienced.

2 Thomas Hirschhorn - Swizterland Pavillion
Cuetips, mobile phones, tinfoil, crystals, videos of politics and revolution on ipads, masking tape - overwhelming in every sense.

3 Mike Nelson - British Pavillion
A Turkish ghetto created immaculately within the pavillion. Less over the top that his best known work but equally as emotive.

4 Pippilotti Rist
A trio of kitsch as hell video collage pieces fusing stock footage, psych colours and Canaletto prints - all in tacky gold frames.

5 Sharon Haynes at Danish Pavillion
A history of political records and speeches in the 20th century stood out in a fascinating show on the freedom of speech.

6 Haiti Pavillion
Who knew there was so much good talent here? Really inventive use of foam, nails and any materials going. And of course a touch of voodoo.

7 Cashpoint at US Pavillion
As your put your card in music plays from the giant organ attached. Even better was at first noone knew the Allora and Calzadilla piece was interactive. (Great Hugo Boss party to celebrate too).

8 Anish Kapoor's Ascension
A surprisingly sprititual tornedo of smoke in an empty basilica.

9 Loris Greaud at Pinault's Palazzo Grassi
A fat round moon at night with a wood of black fake trees.

10 Palazzo Fortuny
3rd year of sheer and utter genius. Veervordt scores a hattrick.

and obviously Christian Marclay's The Clock - which is so great and iconic that it surpasses placement in any top ten. And I cant believe i was lucky enough to be one of the first people to see some of these when I interviewed him in his studio for AnOther.

1 comment:

Michael Finocchiaro said...

Thanks for the excellent review and guide to the Bienalle. We saw all but two of the sites you mentioned (couldn't find Haiti and didn't have time for the ride over to Maggiore for Anish Kapoor). I am going to post over on my blog for a personal top 10 but especially wanted to thank you for the tip on Ho Tzu Nyen at the Sngapore Pavillion. I wouldn't have otherwise gone out of my way for it and yet it was totally worth the detour. The kind girl at reception even said she might send me the little booklet about the film. The girl at reception mentioned that each of the actors also worked on technical aspects of the project and so it was a group effort. It was fascinating particularly how each of the stories intersected are around the common dream and column I nthe building. Fascinating - thanks again!