Meanwhile, Italian artists seem to gravitate towards more private memories or feelings using specific items, such as Pistoletto's mirror and Beppe Bonetti's Variation on 7, an artwork consisting of countless symbols with seven lines.
"We can only guess what they mean to the artists. From the lipstick framing the mirror, I cannot help but wonder if the number is a phone number of a prostitute. As for Beppe Bonetti, seven must be a number that means much to him," said Mian Bu, the other head curator for the biennale besides Orlandi.
"It is an interesting dialogue between artists from two ancient civilizations. Apparently they are in different stages of art development," Mian Bu added.
"They are not on the same level, but it is difficult to say which is better. It is a dialogue through which they can compensate each other," she said.
Growing platform
According to Mian Bu, the Biennale China-Italia got its start three years ago when Orlandi shared with Mian Bu how impressed he was by the vitality of Chinese contemporary artists. Putting their heads together the two decided to organize a biennale that would bring contemporary art from the two countries together.
"There are Chinese artists that participate in the Venice Biennale, but since the Venice Biennale is West-orientated, Chinese artists are usually marginalized and don't get their due attention," Mian Bu explained.
The first biennale in China to focus on the art history of two countries, the event provides a platform for artists from China and Italy to show their talent. "If it weren't for these exhibitions, these works might still be sitting in a storehouse or the artists' studios."
For Mian Bu, the only negative so far has been the absence of top Chinese artists at the biennale.
"This is probably because the biennale is still new. However, I believe they will join us next year in Milan," she said referring to the part of the biennale that is scheduled to be held in Italy in 2015.
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