What to see in Venice

Until September 25, the Piazza San Marco Gallery in Venice presents the first Italian exhibition by the Xijing Collective, formed by artists Shaoxiong Chen (China), Tsuyoshi Ozawa (Japan) and Gimhongsok (Korea). The group is representative of Asia and has an emerging art project together for five years.

The exhibition, curated by Beatrice Leanza, is part of the residency program for artists that takes place in the atelier of the BLM. In addition, Davide Quadrio, Ayas Define and Rosella Mengazzo assist in the curatorial work.

Shaoxiong Chen was born in Santo, Guangdong Province, China in 1962. Chen is one of the best-known conceptual artists from China. He studied in the printing department of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and the Normal School of Art, Guangdong.

In his work Chen plays with perception of the images reflected in photography and video. The intention of this work is to provoke the viewer to look beyond what the eye sees in front of him. Chen’s life and human existence is composed of thousands of looks that are repeated and altered at a time, so no image can be seen in the same way twice. This conceptual view is the one he develops in his videos.

Tsuyoshi Ozawa was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1965. Through his work, he goes into the political and social problems facing humanity today. His concern is placed on diversity in nature despoiled by man and in the wars; hence he uses organic materials in his works which he prepares a meal with and takes pictures with the spectators tasting some of the work.

Ozawa uses interactive spaces where he can work with the viewers of his pieces to start a debate about topics such as war, injustice etc. Among others places, his work has been exhibited at the MoMA in New York, the Biennale in Venice in 2003 and the Biennale in Istanbul in the same year.

Gimhongsok ist a Korean conceptual artist who works with installations, videos, performances, painting and sculpture. He has an interesting relationship to communication. He works with different materials, electronic devices, synthetic materials, with those he creates his interesting architectural structures. The satire in his look on things is directed at the forms of communication within a society that looks at the world through the media.

These 3 artists go on a fictional journey of their works and the limits of the Xijing cartography, a place in China, and play with the symbolic meaning and power of the conjunction of their works.

If you would like to find out more about art from Asia today you should visit this fantastic exhibition.

For more information: http://www.bevilacqualamasa.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/100

Nancy Guzman

So if you happen to go on vacation staying in apartments in Venice come to the Galería Piazza San Marco and enjoy an excellent exhibition.

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Translated by: Maria
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What is a fun holiday with friends without some old fashion games? Whether it is just a weekend trip or a special occasion (25th Birthday, bachelor party…) you will literally die laughing. You need one or two people organizing, they can run with the groups to take funny photos of them or just relax on a terrace with an ice-cream. We are going on a scavenger hunt in the middle of Venice!

How you adapt this game is completely up to you, we will just give you the basics and some cool ideas. Divide your friends into two teams. The teams will have to collect objects and information; they will get 3 points per object, 5 points for every piece of correct information and minus 2 points for any wrong object / info. The losers will pay the drinks tonight! You hand both teams a piece of paper with the items that they have to gather. There is only one rule: they cannot spend money.

A good starting and ending point is the Piazza San Marco. The centre of Venice is pretty compact, so you can lead them to the important places. Here are some ideas of how to lure them to the main sights:

• Peggy Guggenheim museum: She was buried next to her twelve dogs. Name 5 of them. (Emily, Baby, Gypsy, Hong Kong, Cappuccino for example)
• Saint Mark’s Basilica: How many bronze horses do you see? (4)
• Campo Santa Margherita: collect 5 paper napkins, each with a different restaurant name or logo.
• Take a photo of someone in your group with a Venetian mask.
• What is special about the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto? (It is the oldest church in Venice)
• Rialto Bridge: Obtain a souvenir related to the rialto bridge. Remember, you cannot spend money, so be creative!
• Doge’s Palace: What is the Bocca Di Leone? Take a photo of the inscription (see photo).
• Basílica di Santa Maria Della Salute: which famous artist contributed a self portrait in the Great Sacristy? (The answer is Tintoretto, entrance to the church is for free)
• Ca’ Rezzonico: Get a museum guide in Italian.

Other assignments can include obtaining a used museum ticket, to take a photo in a gondola, to collect five pigeon feathers on St. Mark’s square, get an autograph of a tourist from London or to take a photo of a vaporetti.

Planning a trip to Venice with your friends? This is a unique and fun way to discover the city and meet new people. And why not rent an apartment in Venice, for an affordable stay and more flexibility.

It has been called the city of water, floating on small islands in the Adriatic Sea since 452 AD. The charming canals, bridges and piazzas make this one of the most enchanting cities you’ll see in your life. Take your loved one by the hand and follow us on a romantic stroll through Venice.

The biggest piazza in Venice is San Marco, with it’s famous bell tower. You’ll have to share the place with other tourists and pigeons, but by night its more calm and there are often orchestras playing. The pink-and-white building you see is the Doge’s Palace and while now it is a museum, it used to be the residence of the Doge, and it is connected with the dungeon through the Bridge of Sighs.

For a good look at European and American art from the first half of the 20th century be sure to visit the Peggy Guggenheim museum. In the garden you’ll find the grave of Mrs. Guggenheim, who is buried next to her beloved dogs (with interesting names such as Cappuccino, Gipsy and Hong Kong).

Do your shopping together with the locals at the market on Campo Santa Margherita. Early morning you’ll find fish and vegetables, while on Saturday you can go souvenir hunting. Around here you’ll find the best pizzas at affordable prices. On Sunday, take a walk through the former Jewish ghetto. There are still quite a few synagogues; the biggest is the Schola Spagnola, which has a beautiful decorated ceiling.

To cross the Grand Canal, take the Rialto bridge. Instead of looking at the stalls that line both sides of the bridge, enjoy the views of this busy canal. The round Santa Maria della Salute takes in a prominent place and is one of the most photographed churches in Italy. Inside the sacristy you’ll find a self-portrait of Tintoretto.
If you want to impress your spouse, negotiate a gondola ride through the canals. It’s the most romantic way of going around in Venice, but also expensive. Remember to pay extra if you want them to sing (or to make them shut up). If you prefer to spend the money on a night out drinking with your mates, have some cocktails at the Bacaro Jazz. Take note that happy hour is between 5 pm and 7.30 pm!

In February Venice presents its carnival. Dancing in the streets to the sound of popular songs, ballet, theatre and circus will be part of this event, and usually there is a special programme for children. Don’t forget your costume! Another important event is the Film festival (La Biennale). Want to go feed the pigeons on the San Marco square or just enjoy a romantic stay in the north of Italy? Book the best apartments in Venice, you’ll have a great time!