Biennale Arte 2022: Top and Flop According to Artribune

The 59th Venice Biennale, titled 'The Milk of Dreams' and curated by Cecilia Alemani, concluded its preview week. Artribune's review highlights successes and failures. Top picks include collateral exhibitions like Marlene Dumas at Palazzo Grassi, 'Surrealism and Magic' at the Guggenheim, and 'Human Brains' at Prada. Ukraine-focused events included 'Piazza Ucraina', PinchukArtCentre's 'This is Ukraine: Defending Freedom' with works by Damien Hirst, Marina Abramovic, Takashi Murakami, and JR, plus 'Without Women' by Zinaida and 'Kollina' by Olexa Furdiyak. Homo Faber, organized by the Michelangelo Foundation, coincided with the Biennale, showcasing craftsmanship. 'Penumbra' at Complesso dell'Ospedaletto by In Between Art Film, curated by Alessandro Rabottini and Leonardo Bigazzi, featured video art by Masbedo, Jonathas de Andrade, and Janis Rafa. Studio Drift's drone installation at San Lorenzo and Aorist's immersive works by Rafaël Rozendaal and Jonas Lund added digital art. Flops include San Marino's pavilion at Palazzo Donà delle Rose, Marc Quinn's 'HistoryNow' at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, overly muscular exhibitions by Anish Kapoor, Anselm Kiefer, and the Italian Pavilion, and poor opening hours (closing at 6-7 PM) and early April dates conflicting with Easter.