This is the third post in a series on public libraries that we came across during our travels. The public libraries in the earlier posts are in Stuttgart and Melbourne. Let’s start with some music.
We and IT visited Venice for the 60th Biennale Arte, which runs from April to November 2024 (since its inception in 1895). It was a sweltering summer day. Many of the pavilions at the Giardini venue had air conditioning but it was inadequate given the high temperature and relentless sun. Crowds surged from one pavilion to another and pooled around certain exhibits, while long lines formed at the café.
As we explored the Central Pavilion, moving from room to room, we stumbled upon a dimly lit space showcasing a video installation (possibly Gaddafi in Rome: Anatomy of a Friendship by Alessandra Ferrini). Hidden behind curtains, we discovered a doorway that led to an interesting space.
We unexpectedly found ourselves at La Biennale Library (Biblioteca della Biennale), which happened to be open that day. It felt like an oasis, as the library was nearly empty save for a couple of librarians.
The air-conditioning was perfect, there was ample seating, and to top it off, a spotless bathroom with no lines of anxious visitors awaited us.
Two young Asian girls entered, took a seat with their smartphones in selfie mode, and began touching up their makeup and adjusting their stylish outfits, as if preparing for a cosplay event.
The library has at least one more level above which was not opened to the public.
The library is a reference library filled with encyclopedia, monographs on artists, artistic movements, historical periods, and a noteworthy collection of periodicals. I (Chris) was flipping through Graphis poster design annuals from the 80’s !
The library is a part of the Historic Archives of the Contemporary Arts (ASAC, Archivio Storico delle Arte Contemporanee) whose mission is to restore and reorganize historical materials making them more accessible to the public. ASAC also maintains collaboration and exchanges with institutions dedicated to culture, education and preservation worldwide.
Publications of Biennale Cinema (Monstra Internazionale d’Arte et Cinematografica), i.e, the Venice Film Festival.
The library stands out for its comprehensive collection of catalogues from the Exhibitions and Festivals of La Biennale, along with publications covering its six areas of focus: Art, Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Music, and Theatre.
<< Biennale Arti Visive, Biennale publications from 1950-1960’s, the period when cubism and pop art were becoming established.
We came to see the 56th Biennale Arte in 2015 (the catalogs are kept at the end of the shelf). The theme was All The World’s Futures which investigated how the tensions of the outside world act on the sensitivities and the vital and expressive energies of contemporary art.
The current exhibition’s catalog (2 volumes in a slipcase, too heavy and expensive) and a guide (which we bought) was at the end of this shelf.
We purchased a set of postcards featuring various posters designed for past exhibitions and festivals. Many of these posters are also showcased above the bookshelves in the library.
We may have lingered a bit too long in the library—it was just so fascinating and peaceful. However, with so much art still waiting to be explored, we eventually had to tear ourselves away. The library is normally accessible to the public with a reservation.
Only one exit was open, leading us back to the Central Pavilion, as the other two were closed. One of those exits would have taken us to a sculpture garden by Carlo Scarpa, which we’ll feature in an upcoming post.