Biennale di Venezia

Biennale di Venezia

Our road trip from Vienna to Venice began at dawn

As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the sky, there we were, a close-knit group of art enthusiasts gathered at a local cofee shop, buzzing with anticipation. We piled into our rented Black Mercedes van, an eccentric mix of friends ready for an adventure.

With the radio playing our favorite tunes from the 90’s, we set off on the open road, Vienna fading in the rearview mirror.

The drive was filled with lively conversation, each of us sharing stories and dreams, our laughter mingling with the hum of the engine.

We were in high spirits, eager to find the perfect spot for breakfast and picnic

As we drove through, Austria’s picturesque scenery proved to be mesmerizing. We decided to take a detour in search of a quaint spot where we could stop for breakfast.

Following a winding country road, we found ourselves deeper into the countryside (read: somehow lost), the GPS signal weakening with each turn.

Undeterred, we pressed on, enjoying the unexpected journey. Eventually, we stumbled upon a charming roadside rest stop with tables and benches.

The smell of freshly cooked fried rice, mouth-watering Tapas and Longganisa, Tamagoyaki, and salad on the side was hard to resist. We savored each bite while chatting about stories of tita traumas.

We were in high spirits, eager to find the perfect spot for breakfast and picnic

As we drove through, Austria’s picturesque scenery proved to be mesmerizing. We decided to take a detour in search of a quaint spot where we could stop for breakfast.

Following a winding country road, we found ourselves deeper into the countryside (read: somehow lost), the GPS signal weakening with each turn.

Undeterred, we pressed on, enjoying the unexpected journey. Eventually, we stumbled upon a charming roadside rest stop with tables and benches.

The smell of freshly cooked fried rice, mouth-watering Tapas and Longganisa, Tamagoyaki, and salad on the side was hard to resist. We savored each bite while chatting about stories of tita traumas.

With our bellies full and spirits high, we set out again

The roads led us through lush forests and past serene lakes, each turn offering a breathtaking view. Despite a few wrong turns and missed exits, the journey felt magical, the sense of adventure growing with each kilometer.

As midday approached, we found ourselves driving along a picturesque mountain pass, the Alps towering majestically around us.

Upon arriving in Venice, we took a short stop to check-in at our hotel. Dropping our luggage and lightly refreshing ourselves for the first day.

Our foray into the Venice Biennale began

The bus ride from Venice Mestre to Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia was filled with chatter and laughter. We marveled at the shifting landscapes outside the windows, the vibrant shimmering waters of the lagoon.

Arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia, we stepped out into a world of enchanting canals, bridges, and historic architecture.

Our first mission was to find the best gelato in town. Wandering through the labyrinthine streets, we found Gelato Amorino. While we had different flavors, the sweet and creaminess of each were a delight, each bite a perfect complement to the warm, sunny day – as our happy smiles would prove.

Our foray into the Venice Biennale began

The bus ride from Venice Mestre to Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia was filled with chatter and laughter. We marveled at the shifting landscapes outside the windows, the vibrant shimmering waters of the lagoon.

Arriving at Venezia Santa Lucia, we stepped out into a world of enchanting canals, bridges, and historic architecture.

Our first mission was to find the best gelato in town. Wandering through the labyrinthine streets, we found Gelato Amorino. While we had different flavors, the sweet and creaminess of each were a delight, each bite a perfect complement to the warm, sunny day – as our happy smiles would prove.

As we drift towards the Biennale, we heard the distant cheers of a crowd

Intrigued, we followed the sounds to the Grand Canal,
where a vibrant vogalonga was in full swing. The colorful boats, propelled by skilled rowers, glided through the water, their movements a mesmerizing blend of strength and grace. We cheered along with the crowd, caught up in the excitement of the race.

After the vogalonga, we decided to experience Venice from a different perspective

We hailed a water taxi, and as it cruised through the narrow canals, we admired the city’s beauty from the water. The buildings seemed to float, their reflections dancing on the surface of the canals.

After the vogalonga, we decided to experience Venice from a different perspective

We hailed a water taxi, and as it cruised through the narrow canals, we admired the city’s beauty from the water. The buildings seemed to float, their reflections dancing on the surface of the canals.

Navigating through the bustling crowd of art enthusiasts, curators, and fellow artists

And so we finally made our way to the International Pavilion. The grandeur of the Biennale was overwhelming with each country showcasing its finest talents.

Yet, we felt a particular pull towards the Philippine exhibit, eager to see how our country was represented on this global stage.

Sa kabila ng tabing lamang sa panahong ito

Mark Salvatus’ installation brought us (via a large screen) to the foothills of Mount Banahaw , an active volcano in the Philippines, and its many legends.

A series of fiberglass rocks with trumpets sticking out of their surfaces, as though they were pushed into concrete before it set, are arranged behind the delicate curtains. There were bursts of trumpet sounds interspersed with piano-like notes, birds tweeting, as well as whispers and sounds of walking coming from these speakers arranged in an odd way across the room.

Sa kabila ng tabing lamang sa panahong ito

Mark Salvatus’ installation brought us (via a large screen) to the foothills of Mount Banahaw , an active volcano in the Philippines, and its many legends.

A series of fiberglass rocks with trumpets sticking out of their surfaces, as though they were pushed into concrete before it set, are arranged behind the delicate curtains. There were bursts of trumpet sounds interspersed with piano-like notes, birds tweeting, as well as whispers and sounds of walking coming from these speakers arranged in an odd way across the room.

Filipinas in Hong Kong

Pacita Abad’s 270 x 300 cm painting of acrylic on stitched and padded canvas depicts Filipina workers on their one day off, gathering in the streets, subway areas, and shopping centers. In the background, international consumer brands are painted to show how these are far out of reach of those overseas workers.

Void cries pearls at midnight

Joshua Serafin’s “VOID” is a film that is part of a bigger work called “Creation Paradigm”. It’s a 12-minute audiovisual piece that depicts the birth of a god(dess).

VOID‘s choreography represents the sadness, anguish, and grief
 of the society we live in.

Void cries pearls at midnight

Joshua Serafin’s “VOID” is a film that is part of a bigger work called “Creation Paradigm”. It’s a 12-minute audiovisual piece that depicts the birth of a god(dess).

VOID‘s choreography represents the sadness, anguish, and grief
 of the society we live in.

Our idyllic sightseeing was abruptly interrupted by a mischievous seagull

It seems “Attenzione pickpocket” should come with a version warning people about the seagulls’ thievery. We witnessed one as it came shamelessly swooping down to snatch a tramezzini from Gabe’s hand.

The bird flew off with its prize, leaving us in stunned silence before we all bursted into laughter at the absurdity of the moment.

Continuing our exploration, we ventured into Mestre for a quick detour

As we wandered through the bustling streets, a sudden
commotion caught our attention. We watched in disbelief as a nimble pickpocket darted through the crowd, vanishing before anyone could react.

It was a stark reminder of the city’s contrasts – beauty and chaos intertwined.

Continuing our exploration, we ventured into Mestre for a quick detour

As we wandered through the bustling streets, a sudden
commotion caught our attention. We watched in disbelief as a nimble pickpocket darted through the crowd, vanishing before anyone could react.

It was a stark reminder of the city’s contrasts – beauty and chaos intertwined.

As evening approached, we returned to Venice

We found a quaint establishment with a lovely view of the canal. We gathered in the courtyard, savoring the moment with spritze drinks in hand. The tangy, refreshing cocktails were the perfect end to a day filled with art, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the city, we toasted to friendship and the unique experiences that had made our trip to the Venice Biennale truly magical.

This story is based on actual events. In certain cases, incidents and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes.

In cooperation with Rambak Austria