Thoughts from The Biennale
And don't miss the Drawing Circle on Thursday
If you have been to the Venice Art Biennale, you will know that you cannot see it all in one day. So I didn’t. But I came really close. It was worth the long walk and let me tell you why.
First, the curatorial theme. “In Minor Keys”, as envisioned by the late Artistic Director Koyo Kouoh made space for a range of subtle, under-the-radar issues that nevertheless have deep poignancy. Emotional connections with public spaces (Korea pavilion), memory and representation (Spain), seeing beyond the visible (Australia) and I could go on. Each surprising with the delicate attention given to the visual representation. The simpler and the more direct, the more effective.
Then there was the medium. As you know, sensory drawing is a big part of my studio practice. It allows me to become present to inspiration, before I begin the work. I draw on the senses to coach me into the making.
What I saw at the Biennale turned it all upside down for me. The sensory WAS the making. From giving body to the winds (Finland), to carrying and caring for babies (Japan), to whale communication reimagined by deaf people (Poland). We were invited to touch a large granite sculpture from the Earth core in the Egyptian pavilion, to walk barefoot in the Chilean pavilion or to cuddle inside bamboo cocoons in the Indian pavilion.
I can honestly say I didn’t visit the Biennale, I felt it.
Lastly, I was literally surprised to discover paintings in the British pavilion. Not because of how special the paintings were - and they were - but because I barely saw any other paintings! There were primarily 3d works - installations, sculptures, almost everywhere. Digital works the size of a building, enveloping the viewer, AI and robotic works. Paintings were a real rarity. Drawings even more so.
I felt a sense of belonging, a kinship with the sensory art, one that is experienced not just observed. Back in the studio I sat close to the moss feet I made from the forest, under the dream catcher made from the old Tree that protects all those that stand underneath it. It all made sense before already, but now it also belongs.
Most of these are on my Instagram account.
Needless to say it will take me a while to digest it all. I felt joyful and as always being in the company of art lifted my soul.
We Are Drawing LIVE on Thursday
This Thursday, 23 July, at 13h30 CET, I’m opening the first live session of The Drawing Circle, a monthly sensory drawing practice, for subscribers.
I want to draw with people. Not teach, exactly, share what I know, what I’m still learning, and give us a space to slow down together for an hour. See differently. Be present. Make something.
Our first theme is drawing movement. A way into the body before the eye.
If you’ve already joined, I am so happy you took this step for yourself. I’ll see you on Thursday and on the Subscriber Chat.
If you haven’t yet, learn more here. The Drawing Circle is delivered as a monthly subscription through this Substack.
Warmly,
Brindusa