A bluffer's guide to the Biennale of Sydney

What is a biennale?It's an international art festival held every two years. The oldest biennale in the world is the Venice Biennale, followed by the São Paulo Biennale and then our very own Biennale of Sydney, which is 37 years old.

What's it for?It's purely for your amusement. And it's free.

Where is it on?The 17th Biennale of Sydney is on right now at seven venues in the centre of Sydney (see below).

How much art are we talking about here? Roughly 440 artworks by 166 artists from 36 countries.

Can I see it all in one day? You could, if you have plenty of stamina and a short attention span. But you wouldn't have much fun. You're better off spreading it out over two or three separate excursions.

Why should I bother?Think of it as a workout for your legs and your brain at the same time. Contemporary art is a bit like a series of puzzles.

What if I read the art the wrong way? That's the beauty of art: there is no wrong way to read it, so long as you get something from looking at it. And if you're stumped but still want to appear knowledgable, just memorise our handy explanation of selected highlights below.

OK, but can you give me a starting point? The 17th Biennale's subtitle may give you a clue. It's ‘The Beauty of Distance: Songs of Survival in a Precarious Age.' David Elliott, curator of this year's biennale, says that the artworks follow roughly five themes:
1.   Works about the survival of traditional cultures that have been persecuted or marginalised.
2.    Works reflecting that there's more to life than rationality and science.
3.    Works in which the past and present are linked.
4.   Documentary works that depict the current state of the world. And finally:
5.    Works that employ tricksterism or absurdity to make a serious point.

I think I can handle that. Great! Then let's go and check out some highlights!

17th Biennale of Sydney Until 1 Aug

What, where & why?

COCKATOO ISLAND

Sydney Harbour. (02 8969 2100). 10am-5pm. Free ferries leave from Circular Quay Commissioner's Steps on the hour Mon-Fri and on the half hour Sat-Sun.

Kader Attia(France)

What? A life-size recreation of the rooftops of a shantytown that visitors can walk over.

Why? It's a tangible reminder of the poor conditions many people live in.

Cai Guo-Qiang(China)

What? Nine cars tumbling through space, pierced by rods of light, as if exploding.

Why? To represent how violence and beauty co-exist in our world.

Rodney Glick(Australia)

What?Bizarre, colourful woodcarvings of modern people in symbolic poses as Hindu Gods.

Why? To make us ponder what we believe in in contemporary life and why.

Peter Hennessey(Australia)

What? A replica of the Hubble telescope pointed backwards - at a bowl of liquid representing the universe.

Why? Because the universe may be great but our personal universes are small.

Ola Kolehmainen (Finland)

What? A darkened room containing cross-fading, ethereal colour photos of buildings including the Sydney Opera House.

Why? To make us reconsider the built environment with fresh eyes.

Shen Shaomin(China)

What?Lifesize models of the corpses of Lenin, Mao Zedong, Kim Il Sung, Ho Chi Minh plus a still-breathing Fidel Castro.

Why?It's a comment on the death of communist ideals.

PIER 2/3

13 Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay. 10am-5pm. Ferry from Cockatoo Island stops here.

Paul McCarthy (USA)

What is it? A shambolic, giant ‘ship of fools' constructed from foam with the song ‘We Are the World' blasting out.

Why? It's a satirical affront to the assumption that human beings are running the world intelligently.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART

Circular Quay West. (02 9245 2400). Daily 10am-5pm.

Angela Ellsworth(USA)

What is it? A series of pioneer women's bonnets made from thousands of corsage pins pointing inwards.

Why? A reminder of women's lives lived under submission and cruelty.

Larrakiti Yolngu Artists(Australia)

What is it? A room of magnificent aboriginal funeral poles by 41 artists from northeast Arnhem Land.

Why? They're a physical representation of ancient spiritual traditions that survive to this day.

Roxy Paine (USA)

What is it? A giant stainless steel representation of a neuron, out the front of the MCA.

Why?It signifies the big ideas contained within the museum, of course!

Araya Rasdjarmreansook(Thailand)

What is it? Videos of Thai villagers discussing famous paintings by Manet, Van Gogh and Millet.

Why? To make us think about the different ways art can be interpreted.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Bennelong Point. (02 9251 3943).

Choi Jeong Hwa(Korea)

What is it? A maze of green plastic colanders in between the two main Opera House sails.

Why? To celebrate the beauty of superficial objects.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS

Mrs Macquaries Rd. (02 9251 4403).

Fiona Hall (Australia)

What is it?A group of beehives painted in the camouflage patterns of different nations.

Why? The bee colonies allude to human colonies that spread across the world and change history.

ART GALLERY OF NSW

Art Gallery Rd, The Domain. (02 9225 1878). Wed 10am-9pm; Thu-Tue 10am-5pm.

Yamaguchi Akira(Japan)

What is it? Contemporary Tokyo landscapes painted in the traditional yamato-e style.

Why? To critique the notion of human progress.

ARTSPACE

43-51 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo. (02 9356 0555). Tue-Sun 11am-5pm.

Chto Delat (Russia)

What is it?An entertainingly stagey video work about the perestroika period in Soviet history featuring a small choir singing songs.

Why?To entertainingly discuss the problems of swapping communism for democracy.

Talk like an art expert!

Don't say...prettydo say...decorative

Don't say...uglydo say...abject

Don't say...bigdo say...monumental

Don't say...sillydo say...Dada

Don't say...scribblydo say... gestural

Don't say...boringdo say...minimalist

Don't say...cornydo say...kitsch

Don't say...rip-offdo say...homage

Don't say...my kid could paint that do say...abstract

Don't say...video artdo say... time-based media

More on the Biennale?17th Biennale of Sydney& 17th Biennale of Sydney in pictures

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