“La Biennale must present itself as a place whose method—and almost raison d’être—is dedicated to an open dialogue between artists, and between artists and the public.”

This is how Paolo Baratta, President of La Biennale di Venezia, talks about Biennale Arte 2017, the 57th International Art Exhibition, titled Viva Arte Viva. Indeed, curator Christine Macel‘s interest in centering this biennial on artists and art making earned it the ArtNews headline of “Hippie, Heal-the-World Venice Bienniale.” In high contrast to the global politics of the 56th Art Biennale curated by Okui Enwezor, this soft pedaling exhibition is designed for visitors to enter and immerse themselves in realms (also described as “trans-pavilions”) arrayed inside the Giardini’s Central Pavilion, the Arsenale and the Giardino delle Vergini.

Here are a few glimpses of our art encounters across the city. Note the fabric and thread, the soothing palette, the tactile surfaces and environments, the invitations to interact, and the sense of humor that define many of these works. Our photo gallery extends to several collateral projects, evening events and Venice itself as a lyric creative space. Stay tuned for the podcast episodes and radio shows we create from our Venice Art Biennale field recordings, beginning with our May 17 live show on Jolt Radio.

Related podcast episodes: Venice Biennale 2015 – Part One and Part Two, Poland Takes Haiti to Venice, New POV at the Venice Art Biennale, Rachel Armstrong on the Idea Laboratory, Macedonia Installation in Venice.

For more on the Awards of the 57th International Art Exhibition: click here.