– As told by the Lower East Interns.

At our recent four days trip to Venice with our Lower East family – the agenda was as followed: Art Biennale, Italian food, more art, sightseeing and perhaps a Spritz to finish up the days (in respect of the local tradition, of course). A pretty good agenda if you ask us being the Lower East design & communication interns: Juliana (graphic designer) and Sussie (service designer).

Starting out with the international art exhibition Biennale Arte 17. The diverse art work and installations truly inspired and impressed. Wow moments to be remembered till next time (because there is definitely gonna be a next time): 

A favorite of Juliana was the exhibition in the Japanese Pavilion by artist Takahiro Iwasaki called “Turned Upside Down, it’s a Forest”. Huge wooden Japanese houses hanging from the ceiling making a mirrored landscaped in contrast with tiny thread sculptures. A highlight for Sussie was the third part of the Italian Pavilion by Giorgio Andreotta Calò called “Untitled – the end of the world”. A walk through a dark room of nothing but scaffolding, reaching the stairs and suddenly seeing futuristic waves in the air. This leaves the viewer a slightly bit disoriented but with a great wow moment when realising what is in front of them – a wooden ceiling is mirrored by a dark stillwater platform lifted by the scaffolding. Imagination is used as a tool to see beyond the visible.

 

Of course the Art Biennale was not enough for the four artsy Berliners – at the end of our third day we visited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the fourth day ended with the amazing, disruptive and beyond art conventions Palazzo Fortuny. We recommend you to go there whenever you visit the city on water.

In between all the amazing art exhibitions we had time for exploring the narrow paths and canals of Venice. The city is extremely beautiful, clean and with laundry hanging from one building to another. The touching silence and the wasted painting of the walls almost makes you feel like you are a part of a movie set. Specially when the sun falls down and only a few windows between cozy wine bars, trattorias and restaurants shows sign of life. Is Venice actually a truly authentic place, or instead an empty shell?

 

 

We did find authenticity, local laughter and a Spritz. We were strongly reminded of how amazing the Italian cuisine is when your are actually on Italian ground. Ravioli at Nevodi, seafood at Corte Sconta and the mozzarella at Osteria Mauro Lorenzon, yup free recommendations. If you did not notice, our bosses also happen to be the founders of Camillo’s Kitchen, so their soft spot for good ingredients and that local vibe became contagious.

 

As interns we feel lucky, happy and privileged to be invited to Venice – specially in the company of two creative, passionate and nice to the bone people like Jørgen and Helle – thanks for a lovely and inspiring trip!

Text & photos by Juliana Toro & Sussie Skaarup Stensnæs

 

More amazing pictures from the Art Biennale below: