Emre Arolat Venice Biennale Aj Bloggers – 04

I continue on from where I left off in Arsenale… Rehul Mehrotra’s Ephemeral Landscapes is very impressive. Its conceptual frame is quite strong, with a very rich content. I can’t help but think of the same question yet again: Wouldn’t I be better off  if I were to see all these in a book in the calm of my desk instead of this bombardment of hundreds of side by side, even nested works all together? What would be the loss? Probably nothing. Yes, conceptual depth and a rich context, they are absolute musts. However to have a  brilliant exhibition performance and to strike as an attractive one off experience in the visitors’ imaginations are also very important. Just like a notable space creates ease in one’s mind…

I quickly pass by a couple of insignificant works that just try to look good. Right before lunchtime I can’t help but catch a glimpse of the outside. While we are dealing with self-proclaimed architectural issues, outside the real life is going on… Pablo Picasso, enjoying the sunshine, is chatting with his neighbors…