Hasta La Ideas

(Shaun Gladwell, “Colour Test: Mundi Mundi Plains,” 2009, production still. Cinematography by Gotaro Uematsu. Photography by Josh Raymond.)

Lace up your Superga sneakers and stock up on sunscreen, because it’s Venice Biennale time! The 53rd International Art Exhibition, entitled “Making Worlds” and directed by Daniel Birnbaum, opens Sunday at the Giardini, the Arsenale, and assorted other locations around the city. In addition to the sprawling main show of work by more than 90 artists, a record 77 countries (you go, Montenegro!) are participating, and we’ll be checking in with many of their pavilions over the next six months. First up is Australia, which is offering up artist Shaun Gladwell‘s Mad Max-meets-the-outback video series, which will be accompanied by sound, photographic, and sculptural works. In the “MADDESTMAXIMVS” project, Gladwell brings urban activities and extreme sports to the Australian hinterland. His predilection for slow motion encourages viewers to scrutinize the scorched landscape and attempt to impose order on the oozing action. In one video, a leather clad-motorcyclist brakes to give some roadkill kangaroos a ritualistic burial. In another, he surfs the desert by standing atop a moving car. A vibrant production still from the project is our Friday Photo. Learn more about Gladwell and the Australian pavilion in a PDF version of the booklet that will be distributed in Venezia.