Location | New York: Meet Field School Blogger Jessica Chauhan

Tell us a little bit about yourself—your background, major program of study, reasons for taking this trip, and anything else interesting you want to share (maybe something people might not know about you).

I'm Jessica Chauhan and I'm a 3rd year student at KPU studying Fashion Design & Technology. Fashion design has been a life long interest of mine since I was a child and I wanted to take part in the field school opportunity to experience the art scene. I have previously been to New York City (May 2014) for a trip with the Fashion program, and I got to do and see a lot of things in relation to fashion. I wanted to experience a different aspect of New York City through art and also go to Europe, which I have never done before.

What has met or exceeded your expectations or surprised you about New York so far?

Five days into the trip and I've been doing a lot of things around the city that I didn't get to do the first time I was here. Going to the New Whitney Museum, walking the Highline, going to an amazing donut place were just a few highlights! Staying in Brooklyn is definitely interesting and though I would have much rather stayed in Manhattan, staying in Brooklyn is an amazing opportunity to see and learn about a part of New York that has so much history surrounding art (& fashion).

Jessica captured this fantastic panoramic shot of the Meatpacking District from the top of the new Whitney Museum.

I've been exposed to a new way of thinking about design through art work and architecture, and looking at spaces and colors differently, and trying to get inspired by the rush of New York City. I've always been a city girl and it's so crazy how parts of New York vary from one to the next. One second I can be walking down a brick road in Greenwich Village then I'll be walking down the busiest blocks in Times Square.

Give us some insight into your assigned artwork from the Museum of Modern Art. Who is the artist? When was this work made? What is the content of this work? In what context and as part of what art movement was it made?

The art piece I was assigned from the Museum of Modern Art was Takashi Murakami's 1996 piece titled 727. It was made up of three of the same sized canvas and was painted with a polymer paint medium. This piece was made in the Neo-pop art era. This was after Andy Warhol and people actually consider Murakami as the Japanese Andy Warhol because of the way he interprets pop culture into his art work.

The surrounding art works in the room with Jessica's assigned Murakami piece-- Olivia and Michelle in the foreground in the left of the photograph.

In preparation for the MoMA I tried to imagine my piece bigger then what I assumed it to be. I didn't expect there to be non neo-pop art pieces around it. The room just seemed like a modge-podge of large art piece. I also expected there to be some sort of super-flat pieces somewhere in the space of the 727, but there was not. I guess in a way, I was disappointing with the set up of the room my piece was in, but I was not disappointing by my assigned art piece.

How did you approach the creative task of responding to this assigned work in studio? What were your challenges as an artist to be in dialogue with the artwork and artist? Would you do anything differently now that you have seen the work in person?

Jessica standing with the art work she exhibited at KPU as part of the "Talking Back" exhibition ahead of the trip portion of the field school.

When I began my process of responding and having a conversation with this art piece I had to just get started. I began drawing things and looking around me and what I personally related to to and began the molding of my art piece. I was struggling to come up with a concept for my piece because this is the first non-fashion-art work that I've made in years. It was overwhelming learning about how the art world works, how my artist in the era of neo-pop art works, and how having a conversation back with my artist works. An idea occurred after I began thinking about how my life, my childhood ad upbringing related to the piece of work. Murakami was trying to show how messed up American culture looked to Japanese youth, hence the morphed Mickey Mouse character in the middle of his painting.

There are a few things about the art that I produced that I would do differently after seeing it in person. I would have thought about making claws on the hands of Mickey Mouse, I would also consider making the piece bigger, and making a change to the background of the painting, maybe making look more like outer space.

After seeing your assigned art work in person (and any other related art from the same artist or art movement associated with the assigned work), what struck you most, and/or how did the artwork’s form, content, and context shift for you when seeing it?

When I saw the art work in person it wasn't the size that surprised me, it was the color! The skin of the character was very pinky-peach and the whole piece had much of a pinker tone then what I saw from images online. I also kind of expected there to be more Murakami pieces around but there wasn't. The room was just a mix of different large contemporary pieces from various artists. 

Today’s activity was at the New Whitney Museum of American Art in the Chelsea neighbourhood. What were your impressions of this part of New York after learning about it first in the pre-departure classes? What will you take away of the experiences of this day?  What are the most memorable moments for you?

A great panoramic shot of the Chelsea Highline at night

Jessica captures the food love she experienced at Friedman's Lunch!

Seeing the New Whitney Museum was incredible! After reading the reviews online and seeing photos of the building and artworks inside it was a surreal feeling to explore the building and engage in a very minimalist space. The building was gorgeous, exterior and interior, the high white walls and large art pieces made it easy and comfortable for me to read the art. After the wonderful trip to the New Whitney, I was ready to get some grub. Michelle, Olivia, and I (also known by the larger group as the "Fashion Girls") hit the Chelsea Market, roamed underground then had an amazing meal at a restaurant called FRIEDMAN'S LUNCH, and to says it was delicious is an understatement. After being fueled the three of us went thrift shopping at a few places, one of which was Beacon's Closet. Lets just say that fashion students and designer thrift items go together quite well. It was nice walking around Chelsea and looking at the beautiful architecture. While walking to the metro station after station I had a very New York moment, I got asked for directions! I literally felt like I belonged in Manhattan. It was probably the best random moment of the trip so far.

Group shot at the late night donut run to Donut Plant, right next door to the Chelsea Hotel. Jessica at the far left in the photograph.

We rushed back to the Hostel after shopping to change into our new clothes (of course) then met up with our teacher Dorothy and several of our classmates to walk the Highline and watch the sun set. The whole park is amazing, the view, seating and art that was up there was stunning. Though the walk was long Dorothy insisted that we grab a donut at a shop beside the Chelsea Hotel. Let's just say that Tim Horton's has nothing on the mind blowing coffee cake donut that I ate. I am lucky enough to have met so many amazing people and I am so excited to continue the rest of this journey with them. 

To see more photos and impressions of New York and Venice as the field school continues, check out our Instagram feed #kpunycvenice

Location | New York: Meet Field School Blogger Kenneth Yuen

Tell us a little bit about yourself—your background, major program of study, reasons for taking this trip, and anything else interesting you want to share (maybe something people might not know about you).

Hi, my name is Kenneth Yuen and I'm currently studying at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for my Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree. My specific fields of interest in fine arts would be painting/drawing and installation/sculpture. Since I was a child, art has always been an important interest of mine, and still remains that until this day. The main reasons I joined this field school was that I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit these two incredibly cultural and artistically rich, but different cities that happen to be in two different continents, but that also hold such historical importance in the art world and it's movements. Plus, what would be a better circumstance to visit these two cities with people who share the same interest and passions as I do?

What has met or exceeded your expectations or surprised you about New York so far?

Kenneth capturing the energy of New York's iconic Times Square.

Bushwick in Brooklyn as captured by Kenneth in his travels around the borough.

The fact that New York definitely lives up to the hype comes as a surprise to me; the city is so culturally rich and diverse, and its culture differs so drastically from it's neighborhoods, boroughs and districts. Manhattan is totally different compared to Brooklyn, just as the Lower Eastside is totally different compared to Tribeca. Despite there being so many different neighborhoods, none of them really stand out more or less, and that's not a bad thing. Every single district and neighborhood holds it's own; all of them literally have their specific culture and vibe in the air and they all stand out. 

On a side note, it really came to me as a pleasant surprise that people genuinely are who they want to be and don't seem self-conscious here in New York; they really say what they want to say and behave the way that they want to behave. Maybe it's that kind of casual honesty that catches people off guard at times and unfairly earns New Yorkers reputation of being "rude.” In general, New York really has given me a wonderful first impression and it definitely lives up to the hype; the character of the city is in the air and everywhere else and there is no doubt why movies and music always choose this city as their settings and inspirations

Give us some insight into your assigned artwork from the Museum of Modern Art. Who is the artist? When was this work made? What is the content of this work? In what context and as part of what art movement was it made?

During the portion of this program that was done locally back in Vancouver, each participating student was assigned a piece of artwork that is currently displayed at the Museum of Modern art; mine happened to be an installation piece by Cady Noland called The American Trip which was made in 1988. Cady Noland is an internationally displayed and acclaimed postmodern installation artist born in 1956 and is also the daughter of the abstract painter Kenneth Noland who was active in the 1950s and 1960s. 

In her piece that was assigned to me, Noland criticizes American culture and the concept of the American Dream, and makes statements of how they both are heavily deep seeded in violence and thievery. The piece's composition is incredibly casual, especially for something that's making such a bold and strong statement about one's own country and cultural identity. 

Kenneth was assigned Cady Noland's The American Trip (1988) at MoMA.

How did you approach the creative task of responding to this assigned work in studio? What were your challenges as an artist to be in dialogue with the artwork and artist? Would you do anything differently now that you have seen the work in person?

In the studio portion of this program, we were also instructed to create our own piece of art that was in direct dialog with our assigned artist and work. Despite being totally aware of America's history of violence and exploitation, the idolization of the American Dream and "cliché American lifestyle" involving upward mobility, status and material wealth is something that's very ingrained in my personality and how I present myself to people initially, which is why I think my piece was assigned to me in the first place. With that being said, I took this assignment as an opportunity to express my point of view in regards to the American Dream coming from the perspective of a person of minority decent that only recently moved to North America two years ago, and also has family who have moved else where with the purpose and intention of upward mobility. 

Kenneth's response to the Noland piece was this installation, as seen in the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Student Art Gallery "Talking Back" exhibition.

The initial challenge of creating my piece was how to incorporate my own cultural identity into my commentary of the American Dream and reference the exploitation of my people through symbolism (such as a crown that involves a railroad spike and references the railroads that my people built in the first place), but not have it come off as seeking understanding, but as a confrontational celebration of triumph in an exploitive system. The second challenge was then to embody the whole spirit of the American Dream and immigration, by finding a way to make my piece self-reliantly and physically craft every part of my sculpture on my own; from the bust itself to the American flag, all the way to the plinth that the sculpture sits on. 

In my personal opinion, I wouldn't change anything about my sculpture as I personally feel like I've pursued my vision to the best of my ability with the skills and resources that were available to me. I feel like I was able to successfully compositionally juxtapose Noland's piece compositionally and in vibe, while expressing my different point of view. 

After seeing your assigned art work in person (and any other related art from the same artist or art movement associated with the assigned work), what struck you most, and/or how did the artwork’s form, content, and context shift for you when seeing it?

It really was a pleasure to see The American Trip in person; I really gained so much more respect for the piece. The casualness of Noland's statement and composition really shines through in person as it is much smaller than I expected it to be. The fact that most viewers just simply walk by the work without giving it a second thought, despite the pirate flag being right next to the American flag really is a testament to the success of her statement, that most people are blind to America's deep seeded roots in violence and piracy and how it holds a place in the American cultural identity and psyche. The placement of Noland's work was also really well thought out by the museum in my opinion, which also builds another really interesting ephemeral context for her piece; as it was placed in the same room with really large spectacular murals, and behind it was a dark room that had an installation piece that involved lights and sounds, which all attract more immediate attention compared to Noland's piece.  

Today’s activity was at the Whitney Museum in the Chelsea neighbourhood. What were your impressions of this part of New York after learning about it first in the pre-departure classes? What will you take away of the experiences of this day?  What are the most memorable moments for you?

The Whitney Museum of American Art opened only last month in its new location just off the Chelsea Highline.

Chelsea was an interesting place to visit, especially because it's where New York's current art movement is in the present, evidence being that this area has over 200 art galleries and hosts the Whitney Museum of American Art’s brand new building. So it was cool to see the center of New York's art world in the flesh.  From a visual perspective, Cheslea really reminded me of Yaletown back in Vancouver as it is significantly more gentrified and polished up than areas like Bushwick (Brooklyn), which also seem quite gentrified itself, but not to the same degree. Chelsea being right by the water/chanel that separates it from Gramercy & Flatiron probably also contributes to me visually and geographically comparing it to Yaletown. 

The Whitney was a great pleasure to visit. From the outside, the building wasn't immediately striking, but once getting inside, the simple interior design really works for itself and allows the artwork to speak for itself. One thing that surprised me was how much natural light got into the building while still being able to meet the requirements that an art museum would need, those being wide walls, open floors and high ceilings. On the inside, the museum's interior and rooms really did seem to flow naturally; the way the floors were separated was also a nice surprise, as they placed the art work chronologically from top to bottom, which creates a great narrative in regards to America's artistic development. The higher floors focused on American art from the 1940s that was trying way too hard to be European. As you go down the building and see the floors focused on postmodern and contemporary art, you really see America's artistic culture, identity and development, and how it has come a long way from the 1940s. It is almost like watching someone mature into their own identity and become much more introspective and capable of self-criticism.

To see more photos and impressions of New York and Venice as the field school continues, check out our Instagram feed #kpunycvenice

The students sketching outside the Whitney Museum while waiting to get inside. Kenneth is seated first person to the left in the photo.

Location|New York: Meet Field School Blogger Pauline Tiongson

Tell us a little bit about yourself—your background, major program of study, reasons for taking this trip, and anything else interesting you want to share (maybe something people might not know about you).

Hello! My name is Pauline Tiongson, and I am a recent graduate of the KPU Fine Arts program, earning my Bachelors in Fine Arts-Visual Arts (yay!). I am a multimedia artist, but my main discipline is in painting. Ever since I could remember, I loved making art—whether it was drawing portraits of myself or receiving art sets as a kid, it was what made me the happiest. I joined the KPU NYC/Venice Field School trip for many reasons. After missing out on the Paris Field School trip back in 2012, I told myself that I would go on the next trip, regardless of its location. New York, being the mecca of the art world in North America, is home to many artworks from famous artists. It is also a city rich in art culture, as artists are credited for bringing this richness to the neighborhoods and boroughs across New York. I am also very excited to go to Venice, as I have never been to Italy or Europe (besides flight layovers). And lastly, being with like-minded people who share the same passion as you in the arts would make for a great trip. With these reasons, who would want to miss out on an opportunity like this?

What has met or exceeded your expectations or surprised you about New York so far?

Pauline and Durrah enjoying the visit to MoMA

I have been to New York a couple times as a kid, but have no memory of it. I was lucky enough to have gone to this city last year for my cousin’s wedding, and I had an instant love and connection to this city. It is very different from Vancouver, as we have a laid-back, nature ambience to the city, whereas New York is known as the city that never sleeps, as it is always on the go. And I think this is why I love it here, because there is always something happening in the city at any time of the day, and its richness is culture is very alluring.

So far on this trip, we were welcomed to “nice” sunny weather. The weather has been hot-humid and a little overwhelming at times. It is a bit hard to focus when sweat is pouring out of you! Walking along the streets of New York has been interesting—especially when you have the occasional New Yorkers making rude comments at you, or shoving you because you were “in their way”. I also forgot about the garbage along the streets (but how could I have forgotten about that? Haha). The stench of the garbage, as well as some parts of the subway or alleyways on a smoldering hot day will make you want to hold your breath for as long as you can! Why do they not mention or show this in movies or books? Besides those, it has been a good trip so far. Everyone in the group is so caring and awesome—we are like a little family who like to look out for each other.

Give us some insight into your assigned artwork from the Museum of Modern Art. Who is the artist? When was this work made? What is the content of this work? In what context and as part of what art movement was it made?

I was assigned to research on the Fish Story series by Allan Sekula, an American photographer who was known for his large-scale landscape photographs. The series began in 1988, in which Sekula observed the importance of the sea as a source of transportation for goods, but also brought about the concerns of sea pollution, labour issues, environmental damage and degradation. The wide-angle shots showcases the vast amounts of man-made materials juxtaposed with nature. Some images showcase the faces behind the scenes of it all: the labourers, the people residing along the ports, and the fishermen. I think the work’s content is reflective in the work, especially when it is situated in a space that allows critical understanding of the piece.  

After seeing your assigned art work in person (and any other related art from the same artist or art movement associated with the assigned work), what struck you most, and/or how did the artwork’s form, content, and context shift for you when seeing it?

Pauline was assigned Allan Sekula's Chapter One, Fish Story from the series Fish Story (1988-95)

Seeing Allan Sekula’s piece in real life was amazing, because you see things that you wouldn’t have noticed in photographs of the work itself.  All the details tend to stand out as you stare at it for a long period of time. I was quite surprised with where the series was situated; it was located in a space that I thought was a transitioning area towards a more important piece. That being said, the series did cover a great amount of wall space, and did not have to share wall space with any other artwork. I was quite surprised with the size of the photographs. They were not as big as I thought they would be. I had the assumption that they would be life-size or slightly larger-than-life. The works were also placed in a narrative manner, which I thought was important in understanding the importance of this work. Chapter 1 was only featured in this series, but it’s layout and images were already giving viewers a glimpse as to what the other works might feature. I thought it was great that they gave Sekula a space of his own away from the others, because it brings more importance and meaning to what he was trying to emulate in his work.

Today’s activity was at the Museum of Modern Art in the Midtown Manhattan neighbourhood. What were your impressions of this part of New York after learning about it first in the pre-departure classes? What will you take away of the experiences of this day?  What are the most memorable moments for you?

Midtown is one of the best neighbourhoods to explore! When people think of landmarks they would like to go in NYC, most of them are located in Midtown. I was so excited to have received Midtown as my location to explore because it was like seeing it with new eyes this year, especially since we walked through areas I have never been to. The neighbourhood is fast-paced, you see the signature yellow taxis everywhere, and the honking and screaming of people are the lasting impressions this area implanted on me. Walking around the area was quite scary at times, specifically for when you are trying to cross the streets. Even if pedestrians have the right-of-way, the drivers are aggressive and will not stop until you move out of their way. While the cities have its negatives, it is still an awesome neighborhood to be in. Who knows, you could even be walking around the area and you might see a celebrity just casually strolling the street.

The group poses in front of the Museum of Modern Art-- Pauline in the foreground!

In MoMA, I was struck and overwhelmed with everything I saw. It was like a dream come true to finally be in this space and see the artworks I have been dying to visit!! The 6 floors were hard to get through in less than 3 hours. But I enjoyed seeing whatever exhibits I was able to visit. One of the best exhibits was on the 5th floor (I think it was the 5th?), where the artworks by Picasso, Klimt, Monet, as well as Van Gogh were waiting to be seen! Walking through that space was like being in a dream. I could not believe I was seeing these works in person and seeing how much larger they are in real life was also the cherry on top! I was so overjoyed on my walk through this area that I had this feeling of endless butterflies in my stomach that would not go away. When I finally go to see Van Gogh’s Starry Night (1889), I just lost it and had tears falling down my face. It was there at MoMA where I felt that being on this trip was worth all the obstacles and stress of the past few months.

One of the best memorable moments on this trip to Midtown for me was our laid back picnic in Central Park, and also when we sat around the benches at Strawberry Field around the John Lennon memorial. I was amazed that even after 35 years, people still come together to this space, decorate the memorial and sit and listen as the singers strum their guitars to music by the Beatles and John Lennon. It was one of those moments that will leave an impression on me. It was such a good day.

To see more photos and impressions of New York and Venice as the field school continues, check out our Instagram feed #kpunycvenice

Andi posing for Pauline at the John Lennon Strawberry Fields Memorial in Central Park

Welcome to New York: The Art Adventure and Blogging Begins

Big Apple, we have arrived! The KPU Fine Arts Department New York/Venice Field School is happy to share a few glimpses into the first few days of their arrival in New York City from Days 1-5. Be sure to check out the growing gallery of images tagged #kpunycvenice on Instagram for a glimpse into the day to day impressions of the trip (new images uploaded daily), and stay tuned to follow the individual student blogs as they begin rolling out tomorrow!

Day 1 was spent traveling and arriving at the home base for the New York leg of our field school-- the New York Moore Hostel in East Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Day 2 was spent orienting ourselves to the city with a boat tour around Manhattan. The new One World Trade Center dominates the skyline.

Recreating our very own Le dejeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon in the Grass) in Central Park on Day 3. The weather has been beautiful and cooperative so far.

Using waiting time as sketching time across the street from the new Whitney Museum in Chelsea on Day 4.

A view of Manhattan looking north (with Empire State Building in the distance) from the new Whitney Museum on Day 4.

Day 5 is a day spent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of art objects in the world.

We made a special visit as a group to see Jackson Pollock's Autumn Rhythm (1949) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Day 5. We began the field school looking at this painting and examining how New York became the centre of the art world following World War II with both the rise of the Abstract Expressionist movement and the promotion of Pollock as the new poster boy for New York's modern art scene.

Preparing For Your Venice Adventure During the Biennale.... A Provisional How To Guide

Last week, I posted a comprehensive guide to getting into a New York state of mind in preparation for the field school adventure I will be helping to lead there in just a few days. Today, I am posting part two of that guide to include my suggestions for discovering and enjoying time in Venice during the Biennale. For many in the art world, the Biennale represents the most important contemporary art exhibition on the events calendar. Held every two years in Venice, Italy since 1895 (with a few missed years during WWI and II), the exhibition attracts hundreds of thousands if not millions of visitors during its run from spring to late fall. For a great primer on the Biennale, visit the exhibitions own comprehensive website and check out VICE’s Guide to the Venice Biennale-- a great documentary that explores many facets of the last exhibition in 2013.

BOOKS: I begin again with books because they are probably my favourite media through which to explore and understand the places I visit on my travels. These are books that mostly examine the behind the scenes dimensions of the city and are titles that I have either read or have had on my wish list waiting for this trip.

The Venice Experiment by Barry Frangipane: The premise-- What happens when a North American middle class couple decides to leave home and take up residence in Venice for one year?  I adore travel memoirs and accounts of this genre, and this book has been on the top of most must-read books about travel to Venice I have seen.  

Art Lover: A Biography of Peggy Guggenheim by Anton Gill: I read this book some years ago and really enjoyed both the historical scope of the book, tied to the history of this world famous art collecting family, and also the chapters devoted to Peggy Guggenheim’s life in Venice (making up a big chunk of the book).

Venice Observed by Mary McCarthy: If you are interested in seeing and being toured through the world of Venetian art, museums, monasteries, canals, and everyday life, this classic novel is probably the best selection. Written by famed novelist Mary McCarthy in the 1950’s, it is also a portrait of a medieval city at a critical turning point in the modern world. 

The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt: This is another book that has been sitting on my wish list and waiting for the right moment. Set in Venice against the backdrop of events surrounding a 1996 opera house fire, this non-fiction account goes deep to investigate the people and politics of a city that many visitors only get to experience at a very superficial level. 

Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi by Geoff Dyer: A wild card pick for me, but with a narrative that sounds very intriguing. In the first of two novellas a reporter heads to the 2002 Venice Biennale to cover the exhibition and profile the art world and ends up encountering the visual and sensual delights of the city.

MOVIES: Venice looks gorgeous on film, period, so any movie shot there is worth a look. These picks are more recent and once again I have linked to the IMDb database where you can read the plot summaries, reviews, watch trailers and learn more about each title.

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): I have always loved this film for recreating the vibe of a mid-century jet setter’s world of European travel and intrigue. Shot on location in several Italian cities, the time spent in Venice in this film is worth the watch.

Bread and Tulips (2000): A housewife finds herself forgotten by her family at a highway café and decides to hitchhike to Venice and start a new life by herself. What a great premise for a film—can’t wait to check this one out.

Italian Job (2003): Pure visual spectacle, but one that presents Venice from many unconventional angles and manages to entertain with a story of an elaborate plan to steal $35 million in gold bars from a Venetian safe.

The Merchant of Venice (2004): Al Pacino plays Shylock in this filmic version of the classic Shakespeare play. A beautifully shot film with many references to and location shots in Venice.

The Tourist (2010): Just turn off the sound (the film is really quite awful) and enjoy Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp filmed against the backdrop of shot after shot of Venetian splendor.

The Venice Syndrome (2012): Twenty million tourists visit Venice every year, and that many people takes its toll of the delicate physical geography of the city. Here is a documentary going beyond the romantic associations of Venice and exploring the precarious balance of urban life and mass tourism on the spaces of the city. A must-see for anyone planning a trip to (or cruise away from) Venice.

APPS: If there is one city where an app is useful, if not downright necessary, it is Venice. A good map is your lifeline to enjoying your time there, and the addition of several others to help you navigate the Biennale and other cultural and culinary adventures is icing on the cake.

Venice Travel Guide and OFFLINE Map: A map of Venice is essential for everyone visiting the city—one wrong turn and you can be lost for hours! Offline maps are incredible for finding your way around the city, and this one is voted the very best.  

Biennale Guide Pro App: The second app you need in Venice after a great map app is a guide to the Venice Biennale. This updated guide for the 2015 exhibition lists all of the events and exhibition descriptions, along with a useful map and in an offline mode to save on extra charges.

Art Newspaper Biennale App: Another Biennale app option with more commentary, artist’s biographies, reviews, and suggestions for viewing is The Art Newspaper’s 2015 guide to the Biennale. This app is free but not available offiline.

Venice Map and Walks: Another handy app to have in Venice when trying to discover and appreciate its rich cultural history is a virtual walk app. This one is available again offline and has several well organized walking tours of the city that you can enjoy on your own or with a group.

Translate Italian Dishes: This app is essential for when you find yourself in a wonderful trattoria without any clue what is written on the menu. Trust me, it is not always fun to blindly choose what you are going to eat off of a foreign menu.