The chief Dutch contribution at this year’s Venice Biennale is in the field of video. The Netherlands is one of 77 countries represented at this artistic exhibition which takes place every two years. It is known as the place for gaining a name in graphic art. Having an exhibition here is considered important for one’s reputation.

 
Fiona Tan is the Netherlands' calling card at the 53rd Venice Biennale. Her work can be found at the Dutch pavilion. The Netherlands is one of thirty countries with pavilions in the Giardini Park. Fiona Tan has an exhibit of three of her works: video installations.

 
Two screens face each other in the pavilion’s largest hall. The biggest screen shows images from a depot. Thousands of objects are displayed in rows of racks, exotic animals in formaldehyde, spices and foodstuffs, all of them from Eastern countries.  The opposite screen shows images from impoverished countries where there is a lot of filth. Soldiers patrol the streets.

Fake
Tan was inspired by the voyages of Marco Polo, who in the 13th century travelled from Venice to China, visiting unknown lands on the way. A voice broadcast from loudspeakers hanging from the ceiling describes his travels.

"If you take a good look at the images you can see that the depot is fake,”

the artist informs us.

"It is a romantic illusion to think that Marco Polo brought all these objects from the Orient. He was robbed on the way home and arrived empty-handed, with the exception of his stories. The illusion which I create is destroyed on the other side."

Disorientation
Fiona Tan says her installation contains a special message (other than that she wants to destroy an illusion).

"You do not stop and think about it if you have a beautiful object from Asia in your hands. Often it is the product of exploitation.” The viewer has to fill in the meaning of Tan’s work on his or her own. Her installation is called ‘Disorientation’.

 
Young artists have created their own exhibition near the Biennale. There is an enormous video screen on one of Venice’s wharfs.  Passers-by see an animated film, then realise that they are looking at themselves on the screen. They are filmed while a toy car races over the wharf. The car broadcasts a recording with a metallic voice:

"Benvenuto a Venezia."

Some people talk back. Everything is filmed and everyone is amused.

Interactive
The video screen is a creation of Dropstuff.nl. The organisation founded by René van Engelenburg shows 25 works on the screen every day, mostly from young artists who have created a work especially for the 53rd Biennale.
 

"Dropstuff is a mobile platform that broadcasts digital and interactive works of art. The viewer can react in his or her own manner and have an influence on the artwork.”

 
Career
The Biennale offers the young video artists a chance to gain international recognition for their work. Not far away, one hears enthusiastic reactions to Fiona Tan’s creations. Her exposition at the Dutch pavilion will undoubtedly have a much greater influence when it comes to furthering her career.

"I do not know. You never know what will happen,”

Ms Tan says laconically.

The Venice Biennale will be held until 22 November. The video screen from Dropstuff has since moved to another location.

External links:
 

• Fiona Tan at the Dutch Pavilion
• Dropstuff
• La Biennale

 RNW translation (fs)