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Saloni Doshi has returned from the 61st Venice Biennale with a suitcase full of opinions.
“The death of chief curator Koyo Kouoh hung heavily over Venice, while protests erupted across the Giardini over Russia, Israel, Palestine and labour rights. Yet Kouoh’s vision survived the chaos beautifully,” Doshi told this diarist. India made a splash after a seven-year wait, she confirmed, “with works by Alwar Balasubramaniam, Ranjani Shettar, Sumakshi Singh, Skarma Sonam Tashi, and Asim Waqif becoming the most photographed stars of the show”. However, the social circuit proved a chore, she said. “What was annoying was that typical ‘need to be invited to every party’ mentality that so many seemed to carry there”. “Breakfasts [hosted by institutions] offered far more intelligent conversation as they focused on art rather than who wore what.”