Small World Crammed on Biennale’s Grand Stage

The French billionaire François Pinault has transformed the old Customs House into a museum for his collection. Left, a painting by Cindy Sherman and a sculpture by Jeff Koons.
Photo: Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Small World Crammed on Biennale’s Grand Stage
By MICHAEL KIMMELMAN Published: June 11, 2009(New York Times Permalink)
The 53rd Venice Biennale is tidy, disciplined, cautious and unremarkable, suggesting a somewhat dull, deflated contemporary art world, professionalized to a fault, in search of a fresh consensus.

Preview of the 53rd Venice Biennale 2009

Preview of the 53rd Venice Biennale 2009

Its that time again, when the international art community packs its bags and heads for Venice. The 53rd Venice Biennale is now open, and in this film, made in collaboration with the Guardian newspaper, art critic Adrian Searle presents his roundup. Whats hot? Whats not? Find out here. Check out the next issue of TateShots for more Venice coverage and artist interviews.