Venice Through an Artist’s Eyes
Six days of art, discovery, and inspiration in Venice
Overlooking Venice’s Grand Canal, with the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in the distance, during my six-day exploration of contemporary art at the 61st Venice Biennale.
Dear Friends,
I've recently returned from an extraordinary six-day exploration of contemporary art in Venice, Italy, with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA). This was my first opportunity to immerse myself so extensively in the Venice Biennale and the remarkable contemporary art exhibitions taking place throughout the city, experiencing an astonishing range of artistic expression and perspectives from around the world.
As an artist, I was fascinated by the diversity of materials, techniques, and creative approaches—from monumental paintings and sculptures to immersive installations, sound, and experimental performance. Equally compelling were the subjects explored, reflecting both the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
Artists confronted themes of war, loss, displacement, motherhood, identity, power, and the social and political realities of our time. Others explored our relationship with nature, spirituality, and the human body, revealing the many ways art can challenge, connect, and communicate.
Some works were profoundly unsettling, others deeply moving or unexpectedly beautiful. Many challenged my perceptions and left me with questions I'm still reflecting upon. Above all, I was reminded of art's extraordinary ability to cross cultural boundaries, give voice to difficult experiences, and invite us to see the world through someone else's eyes.
Before leaving Venice, I shared a brief glimpse of my travels, but there is so much more I'd love to share. Over the coming weeks, I'll take you along as I revisit the artists, exhibitions, and unexpected discoveries that made this experience so memorable.
A Journey Made More Meaningful by Friendship
A table for two, a little Venetian sunshine, and six days of art and adventure ahead!
This journey was made especially meaningful by my dear friend Laura Nelson, whose generosity made the experience possible. I'm deeply grateful for her friendship and the opportunity to share such an inspiring adventure together.
One particularly memorable evening was dinner at the historic Harry's Bar, followed by a walk through Piazza San Marco, beautifully illuminated against the night sky. Harry's Bar was just as memorable this time as it was when I first visited nearly 30 years ago.
The Art of Discovery
What made this trip particularly exciting was the opportunity to experience so many different artistic perspectives in such a concentrated period of time.
Among the many unforgettable encounters were works by three artists whose approaches couldn't be more different: Anish Kapoor, Jenny Saville, and Marina Abramović.
I was particularly fascinated by Anish Kapoor's monumental sculptures, which challenged my perceptions of space, form, and reflection. His polished, mirrored surfaces transform the surrounding environment, inviting viewers to become part of the artwork itself.
I was equally captivated by Jenny Saville's powerful, expressive paintings, with their extraordinary layers of paint and deeply human subjects, while Marina Abramović's work invited an entirely different kind of engagement between the artwork and the viewer.
Our UMOCA group reflected in one of Anish Kapoor's extraordinary mirrored sculptures at Palazzo Manfrin, Venice.
This monumental painting by Jenny Saville filled the museum wall. I was captivated by her expressive brushwork, extraordinary layers of paint, and the raw humanity of her subjects. As a painter myself, I found her approach to materials and the human figure especially inspiring.
Immersed in Marina Abramović's Transforming Energy, where illuminated crystals and human presence become part of the artwork. I was fascinated by her invitation to experience art not just through sight, but through stillness, awareness, and participation.
Art That Challenges Convention
Some experiences challenged my expectations of art altogether, including Florentina Holzinger's SEAWORLD VENICE, presented in Austria's national pavilion in the Giardini, one of the principal exhibition sites of the Venice Biennale.
This provocative performance installation explored the human body, environmental concerns, and the boundaries of artistic expression. Its unconventional approach sparked considerable debate, raising questions about the boundaries of contemporary art and the ways artists challenge our perceptions.
A striking moment outside the Austrian Pavilion, where Florentina Holzinger's SEAWORLD VENICE extended beyond the exhibition space into the public realm.
Photography was restricted inside the pavilion due to nudity in the performances, but I was able to capture this moment outside. For those interested in exploring the exhibition further, I've included a link to the official project website below.
The Inspiration Continues
This is the first of five newsletters in which I'll share highlights from my exploration of the Venice Biennale and the extraordinary exhibitions throughout the city. In the coming weeks, I'll take you deeper into the artists and exhibitions that made the strongest impressions on me, exploring their creative processes, materials, and ideas—and the ways their work challenged and inspired me.
I'll also share unexpected encounters with sound, performance, and nature, and the fascinating ways contemporary artists are bringing these elements into their work.
I'm grateful to Laura Hurtado, Jared Steffensen, and Kaitlin Mills for helping create such a thoughtful experience through UMOCA, and to the wonderful people whose company made the journey even more memorable.
Most of all, I hope these stories offer a glimpse into how I experience contemporary art—and how the inspiration gathered along the way continues to find its way into my own creative practice.
Thank you for being part of my artistic journey.
Warmly,
Janell James