Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Biennale De Lyon

Ray Caesar of Gallery House representing Canada at the Lyon, France Biennale. Conceived by the Argentinean curator Victoria Noorthoorn–who has worked for such institutions that include the MOMA and The Drawing Center in New York –has been appointed to direct the 11th Biennale de Lyon is gathering 70 artists from all over the world, but mostly from Europe, Africa and Latin America.

The Lyon Biennale has numerous stages of venues throughout the city; above is the main entrance to pick up our entry pass and information kit. Historic architecture are embedded between recent buildings along the river. The artists works is being exhibited over 14.000 square meters, across four venues: La Sucrière, the Fondation Bullukian, the Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon, and the T.A.S.E. factory. The Biennale de Lyon is an international exhibition, accompanied by two platforms: “Veduta” and “Résonance”.

Above installers are bustling about setting up and arranging Ray Caesar’s works for exhibit.

Almost ready…behind this large booth in the back section is another wall of Ray Caesar works being installed.

Press, Media and VIP Opening Night–Jerome Catz–who curated this section of the Biennale gives a talk.

Jerome Catz of Spacejunk Centers on the left; and myself just before the crowd hits.

Gallery House is interviewed by one tv crew; two newspaper channels and three radio channels. Above center is Jean Marc Vernier the Director of the Biennale.

Along the river near one of the venues; houses dot along the scenery. Lyon is situated between Paris and Marseille and as depicted is known for historic architectural landmarks and is regarded as the capital “Gastronomy” of France. And indeed is it ever. Delicious food, fantastic service, attention to details in the pastry shops are at another level that one can barely imagine!

A restaurant nearby this magnificent modern cheese like structure! A fantastic patio offshoot with a small mechanical artistic water fall to boot.

At the gift shop in one of the venues, some images of Ray Caesar books…..they later received some Limited Edition books–see Ray Caesar Books at Gallery House.

Between venues, trailers decorated with works of art.

Above is a snapshot of the hub of Lyon city and a great old fashion sign glimmering against the backdrops of the hills. It was a frequent sight as I waited by this corner for a connecting bus to bring me back to the hotel. The metro system in Lyon is really great; from my hotel I took a bus, subway and a monorail to reach one of the venues despite the many methods of transportation it was efficient, I believe must be new as it was so clean and to top it off the stops designated the wait time never more then a few minutes.

A view of the outside of my hotel where it happened to be the Convention centre where the Film Festival was taking place! Quite a few red carpet walks! In fact, Lyon is known to have had a significant role in originating film in the world.

Above depicts after the VIP/Media viewing and the party begins in the official opening to the public of the Biennale De Lyon! The exhibitions run till December 31, 2011.

By Belinda Chun

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