Toss up

"Since the things one misses at the Venice Biennale can be as valid a measure as the things one sees, let’s start with an official Maori blessing of the New Zealand Pavilion, complete with prayers and songs and whatnot. This had a lot going for it. Such as, when else is one going to see such a thing? Also, what better way to kick things off than to witness a blessing ceremony, and maybe even be blessed by proxy, thereby perhaps eschewing some of those inconvenient things that happen in Venice, like getting lost and not finding off-site pavilions."

Sarah Douglas frets over whether to go to a Maori blessing or see Bruce Nauman’s exhibition at the Venice Biennale. You can read her decision here on IRTINFO. (Thanks P)