Has anyone visited the Venice Biennale Art Exhibit? Do you need to buy tickets in advance? Is it near St. Mark's Square? Our cruise ship docks in Venice for one day and we'd like to spend some time at this special exhibit. Thanks . Suzanne

The Biennale is not just one show, but a conglomerate of shows from many countries. This year is Mexico's first foray into the Biennale. It is also the first year an American, Bob Storr, a former curator at the MoMA, is directing the show.

A lot of the shows are at the Arsenal near St. Marks Square, though you will find the formal show at the Giardini.

As for tickets, if I remember correctly, it was recommended you get tickets in advance.

http://www.labiennale.org/en/tickets/

I had a work pass, so don't know the proceedures.

I'm actually back to correct myself. What I meant to type was:

The bulk of the show is split between the Arsenal and the Giardini, but in reality, you can find the Biennale almost everywhere in Venice.

We were there for the 2005 Biennale. No, you don't need to buy tix in advance. There're ticket booths at all the entrances to the show, and you can just buy your tix when you get there.

And the Biennale never ceases to cause controversey in some of its works, such as one that poked too much fun at Pope Paul a few years ago.