The other added bonus of the Venice Biennale besides the tremendous amount of art at the Giardini and Arsenale is the off-site art venues all over the city. As we roamed the alleyways, narrow streets, and footbridges, we discovered art exhibits in every nook and cranny.
On Monday when the Biennale was closed, we went to two of the most extraordinary exhibits.
Fashion moguls Prada and Francois Pinault have recently converted two splendid former palaces into private art foundations.
Located on the Grand Canal, Palazzo Grassi holds Frenchman Francois Pinault’s private art collection and the classic Venetian style palace was designed by Giorgio Massari and built between 1748 and 1772. For the first time, the museum is devoting its entire 50,000 square foot space to one artist. Italian born artist Rudolf Stingel, now based in New York, has created his largest work to date for the museum. Stingel digitally designed an Oriental carpet pattern evoking Sigmund Freud’s study in Vienna, and has covered the floors, walls, and ceilings in the richly patterned design. The simple portraits done in black, white, and neutral gray shades hanging on the walls referencing mid European culture, are a brilliant contrast to the highly saturated colors of the carpets and the small scale of them is also a brilliant gesture. There is also a series of portraits of sculptures. Walking room through room of the silent, contemplative rooms in the grand palace with romantic views looking out to the Grand Canal was breathtaking and Vincent and I wanted to move in and never leave.
Alas, we forced ourselves to move on and glad we did because we went to another fantastic installation. Fondazione Prada is working in conjunction with the Musei Civici, a historic palace belonging to the city of Venice, in restoring the elegant building to present art exhibitions. For the Biennale, Fondazione Prada has ambitiously taken on recreating it its entirety, a radical and groundbreaking show When Attitude Becomes Form, which originated in Bern, Switzerland in 1969. The exhibit, curated by Harald Szeemann, focused on the idea of expanding the boundaries of what is considered art and the theory that “everything is art”. The new minimalist art movement of the time where artists used unconventional materials was also a basis of the show. The paintings, sculptures, and installations include artists Walter De Maria, Joseph Beuys, Carl Andre, Eva Hesse, Neil Jenney, Jan Dibbets, Daniel Buren, Bill Bollinger, and Alighiero Boetti. Not only was the art exceptional, as Vincent and I are both art fans of that period and style, but we also loved seeing the gorgeous frescoes and ornate Rococo ceilings along side the minimalist art. And remaining true to the Prada style, the museum staff was dressed in chic black and white Prada uniforms.
After being blown away by both exhibits we walked around the St. Croce area near the Fondazione Prada. More about St. Croce tomorrow.
Rudolf Stingel
Palazzo Grassi
Till 12/31/13
http://www.palazzograssi.it/en/exhibitions/rudolf-stingel
When Attitudes Become Form
Fondazione Prada
Till November 3, 2013
http://fondazioneprada.org/en/intro.html
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
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