Since 1895, the Venice Biennale, a contemporary art exhibition, has been held in Venice, Italy every two years (with a few breaks). This year Venice is hosting the 53rd Biennale, which includes an international art exhibition, an architecture exhibition and festivals of contemporary music, dance, and theater - as well as the Venice Film Festival. The 53rd International Art Exhibition titled "Making Worlds", opened to the public on June 7, and will remain open until November 22, 2009. Collected here are a few images from the recent vernissage (opening) of the art exhibition and of Venice itself. (29 photos total)
A view of the installation "Composizione non finita - infinita" by Giampaolo Bertozzi and Stefano Dal Monte at the Italian pavilion during the vernissage of the 53rd Biennale International Art Exhibition in Venice, Italy, Thursday, June 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar) #
A woman stands near German artist Thomas Schutte's "Efficiency Men 2005" on show during the opening of the Punta della Dogana in Venice on June 3, 2009. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images) #
An installation of the Chilean artist Ivan Navarro titled "Death row" is displayed Venice on June 3, 2009 at the Venice Art Biennale. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images) #
A visitor passes in front of an installation at the Hungarian pavilion during the vernissage of the 53rd Biennale International Art Exhibition in Venice June 3, 2009. (REUTERS/Tony Gentile) 12parting
A visitor views paintings of gorillas entitled "La Solitude Organisative" (left) and "Flecha Rota" (right) by Spanish artist Miquel Barcelo at the Spanish pavilion during the vernissage of the 53rd Biennale Internazional Art Exhibition in Venice June 5, 2009. (REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi) #
Visitors look at installations by US artist Bruce Nauman on June 4, 2009 at the US pavilion of the Venice Art Biennale. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images) #
Visitors view an installation by Argentine artist Tomas Saraceno entitled "Galaxies Forming along Filaments, Like Droplets along the Strands of a Spider's Web" at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at the Giardini during the vernissage of the 53rd Biennale Internazional Art Exhibition in Venice June 5, 2009. (REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi) 07venice 14venice #
A ARTE CONTEMPÔRANEA com suas estranhezas, provoca, e nada como uma provocação para aguçar sentidos e levar a reflexão.