Buzz at the Venice Biennale

For over a century, the prestigious Venice Biennale has been one of the most awaited cultural events in the world. Established in 1895, it has an attendance today of close to 370,000 visitors at the art exhibition. Its history dates back from 1895. This was when the first international art exhibit was organized.

While the UK bases its display in its 1909 pavilion just along the permanent homes for over 30 other nations constructed in gorgeous gardens during the last century or so, new arrivals will be setting up shop in the wooden roofed barracks structures of the 16th century at the neighboring Arsenale, the captivating complex of warehouses and docks now being ceded to the Venice by the military of Italy.

Temporary exhibits, comprising Chinese art, are already hosted at the site. The host nation has set the perfect example by opting to move its permanent pavilion there. The Arsenale’s takeover by far-flung nations is perhaps a fitting fate for the docks, which sent Venetian vessels out for trade with India, China and the Middle East, helping to transform the city state into a major maritime superpower.

Laid out in year 1104, the docks filled 114 acres and employed 2,000, thus becoming one of the world's largest ever pre-industrial production centers. The Biennale took over the leafy gardens in 1895 next door after the Venice mayor decided to offer a space to local artists meeting at St Mark's Square (Caffe Florian). It’s the world's most influential and also the oldest art fair.

According to art historian and critic Bice Curiger, they can serve as a tool for reflecting upon the issue of identity. Curiger will ask each participating artist to answer specific questions like 'Where do you feel at home?', 'How many nations do you feel inside yourself?', 'If art was a nation what would be written in its constitution? and 'Is the artistic community a nation?'