Reborn as a great painter, with a system, you can be willful

Early in the morning, Jiang Zhe and Wang Zhen rushed to the Correr Museum together.

This museum is located on the arched corridor on the west side of St. Mark's Square in the center of Venice.

The two came to St. Mark's Square. Since it was not yet the agreed time, they could walk around.

At this time, there were not many people in the square.

Flocks of pigeons foraging for food in the square add a touch of agility and harmony to the surrounding ancient buildings.

Jiang Zhe used his camera to capture some interesting moments, and Wang Zhen pointed to a building not far away and said to him.

"This museum displays sculptures, paintings, handicrafts and other cultural relics from before and after the Italian Renaissance. One of the major special exhibitions of this Biennale, "Paintings", is on display here. Moreover, the exhibition hall of the China Pavilion that was not exhibited is near this museum."

Jiang Zhe glanced in the direction she pointed and said, "After the meeting, let's go take a look. Which exhibitions do you think are worth visiting? The exhibitions in the Biennale are too scattered. I don't want to miss some good works."

Although he had not been in Venice for long, he had already learned that the Venice Biennale was now a comprehensive art exhibition and festival event that included visual arts, architecture, film, drama, music, dance and other categories.

The full name of this year's Venice Biennale visual arts exhibition is "The 50th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition". When the domestic art world mentions the Venice Biennale, it usually refers specifically to the international art exhibition.

The exhibition site of the 50th Venice Biennale is mainly distributed in three major exhibition areas: Biennale Park, Venice Arsenal and Correr Museum. In addition, there are many smaller exhibition halls scattered throughout the island of Venice.

"A total of 63 countries and more than 380 artists participated in this Biennale. It is difficult to see all the works in a short period of time," said Wang Zhen.

The two chatted as they slowly walked to the museum, waiting for it to open.

Here, you can see a promotional sign outside the museum.

Special exhibition "Painting: From Rauschenberg to Murakami, 1964-2003".

Wang Zhen told Jiang Zhe that the “Painting” exhibition includes 20 paintings by 60 painters since the mid-50s. It has a retrospective nature and is particularly significant and important in recent years when conceptual art, installations, and video have become all the rage.

The doors of the Correr Museum opened and visitors began to enter.

Jiang Zhe and his friend also followed the tourists into the exhibition hall.

At the entrance of the exhibition hall, there is a display board introducing the exhibition and specifically explaining what the role of painting is in the current Biennale.
There was a sentence among them that caught Jiang Zhe's attention.

Curator Bonami asserts that painting is an irrevocable archetype of contemporary artistic expression, despite its absence caused by the emergence of conceptual art.

Jiang Zhe quietly asked Wang Zhen: "Why aren't my paintings exhibited here?"

Wang Zhen said, "I don't understand either. Maybe you are too young. Think about it. When you first came to the main exhibition area, people about your age were performing performance art there."

While waiting, the two browsed the exhibits in the museum.

Soon, Jiang Zhe saw an acquaintance. It was Jacques, a famous painter he met in France. He also came to visit the exhibition with his assistant.

Jiang Zhe saw the other person's eyes turned to him, smiled and waved.

Wang Zhen also saw Jacques. "Let's go over and say hello."

The two parties walked towards each other at the same time. Jacques smiled and said to Jiang Zhe: "We meet again, my friend."

"It's great to meet you." Jiang Zhe was happy to meet someone he knew in a strange place.

After the two sides greeted each other warmly and asked about each other's recent situation, Jacques told Jiang Zhe.

He came to Venice on June 6, when the exhibition was open to the public. He had to stay in Paris for a while because of something, and this was his second time in Venice. "I saw your work, it was great. But I haven't seen you before."

Jiang Zhe explained why he couldn't come earlier.

Jacques whispered to Jiang Zhe: "My friend, Chloe, told me that she will meet with several critics today. I didn't want to come at first, but when I saw you, I felt like I had a companion."

Jiang Zhe thought of Ms. Chloe. "It seems that we are here for the same purpose." The other party was very frank, and Jiang Zhe did not want to hide it.

Judging from Jacques' attitude, this matter can be discussed openly.

After waiting for a while, Chloe came to the exhibition hall.

Chloe was very enthusiastic about Jiang Zhe and talked about her life in Paris. She introduced Jiang Zhe to a critic named Julian.

Julian is a fat middle-aged man. This meeting was arranged by Julian and Chloe.

A few people chatted while waiting, and several critics arrived one after another.

Wang Zhen specifically introduced Jiang Zhe to a critic named Daniel.

This is an old man with gray hair and a beard. Because Wang Zhen did the work in advance, the old man mentioned Jiang Zhe's works to others and created topics to let Jiang Zhe integrate into the circle's communication.

The topic of discussion is basically about the painting exhibition here. For example, in 1964, the oil painting "Helicopter" by the 39-year-old American pop artist Robert Rauschenberg won the Grand Prize for Painting at the 33rd Venice Biennale. This was the first time that an American won this honor.

Some people say that it is difficult for the art world to create such a star again. In today's globalized era, painting is no longer just painting, but has become an anthropological, political and social explanation.

Others talked about the significance of this Biennale. Holding such an exhibition at the 50th Biennale, which is also the 50th anniversary, is a celebration of the archetype of art, namely painting.

Several critics, including Jiang Zhe and Jacques, analyze some recent mixed media paintings.

Jiang Zhe listened to the comments of these people and roughly understood their methods of commenting on works. Therefore, he praised some works for expressing different light sources and different thoughts of the mind, and bringing together the virtual and the real, fantasy and fashion, illusion and dream on the canvas.

“From Rauschenberg to Murakami, from 1964 to 2003, it was a wonderful journey. The essence and meaning of painting should be restored.”

A female curator named Amy agreed with Jiang Zhe's view: "We hope that the world will become better and better just like painting. Painting is the dream of the world. It should be a pure space where things will become better and better. All dreams, like painting, happen in the gap between art and life."

Jiang Zhe noticed that Amy agreed with his words twice, and seemed to be helping him intentionally or unintentionally.

Wang Zhen felt strange when he saw this scene.

He did not contact the other party, and it was the first time that Jiang Zhe met the other party.

The other party showed friendliness and goodwill. Although she didn't know the reason, she was willing to contact him.

While they were chatting, Chloe gestured for everyone to look in the direction of the entrance.

"Mr. Bonami is here."

Jiang Zhe turned around and saw the chief curator, Bonami, and an old man walking towards him side by side.

He had seen the photograph and recognized the man.

He also recognized the old man next to him. (End of this chapter)