The city of Venice goes beyond time and has remained quite the same for the past centuries. Proof of that are the many artworks known as vedutas: paintings that reflect the vibrant atmosphere of the city in the 18th Century. These deeply realistic works were achieved with the help of a dark camera, which worked as an image projector. Thanks to such device, the artist would obtain an upside-down image (projected on a surface) of the landscape he wished to paint.  The final result was a picture so true to reality that it acted as a photo of its time.

Grand Canal and San Simeone Piccolo, by Francesco Guardi (Venice, 1712-1793)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 41,5 x 55 cm

MNBA

The Grand Canal and San Simeone Piccolo, today.

Nowadays, Venice is in the spotlight because of the opening of its famous Art Biennale. Many countries ship examples of contemporary art and, this year, for the first time, the Holy See will have a pavilion. The artwork in exhibition is called Creation, Un-Creation, Re-Creation:

- Italian artist Tano Festa was in charged of painting a triptych for the entrance, inspired by the roof of the Sixtine Chapel, as tribute to Michelangelo.

- Studio Azzurro (a group of artists from Milano) were commissioned the Creation part and presented a video-instalation.

Studio Azzurro

- Photographer Josef Koudelka did the Un-Creation.

Josef, posing with his photos

- Australian artist Lawrence Carroll made the Re-Creation.

Lawrence Carroll