The art event opened the day before the opening of the 61st Venice Art Biennale, and was presented at the Saturnia Design Hotel, in central Venice. This is the fourth production at the Saturnia Art Hotel and the 14th project within the framework of "Markers" since 2001 in Venice, organized by the Artists' Museum, curated by Doron Pollak and in collaboration with Amir Cohen, who designed the exhibition, created the catalog, and also developed a series of art posters and an installation inspired by Wilson.

The Saturnia Hotel is located near St. Mark's Square, in the heart of Venice. The mere agreement of this central venue to host the exhibition as part of the art events accompanying the Biennale is an extraordinary achievement for the participating artists. Similar venues charged tens of thousands of dollars for renting similar exhibition spaces, even for just one evening.

The hotel management, headed by Mariana, who opened the event, referred in her remarks to the unique relationship with Israeli artists, as well as the great complexity involved in hosting projects from Israel these days. The opening ceremony included special things said about the exhibition and the artist Hans-Jörn Brandenburg, Bob Wilson's longtime partner.

An excited Brandenburg performed a Dadaist piece on a 150-year-old antique piano. The works were all displayed in the historic "Nobile" space — a living room decorated with antique furniture, in the hotel that has been operating for 150 years. The audience included the exhibiting artists, along with guests and artists who came from across Europe, the United States, and the Venice artist community itself.

The exhibition featured, among others, Luigi Viola, a longtime lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice; the artist and designer John Gian Pozzi; and the artist Claudia Zorino, who lives and works in Giudecca. Other artists came from Poland, Germany, Austria, the United States, Italy, and Sardinia.

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Dear Doron & Amir!

 

I am very thankful to you for the status I was granted and the honor you kindly demonstrated by curating my artworks in Venice, Italy, the opening of the PreBiennale Exhibition.

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My artwork represents the Judaica motifs together with Robert Wilson world & conceptuality, combined into the series of playing cards, bringing innovative and view on Judaica culture.

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With Respect, Simon Betuel

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