Earlier this week, the Venice Biennale opened for previews that were hardly limited to journalists and curators, as is perhaps only to be expected—judging by the numerous megayachts moored nearby, at least. (Not to mention all the well-dressed collectors sipping Aperol spritzes on palazzo balconies visible from the Grand Canal.)
If you, like me this week, were stuck hoofing it down the long walk along the Riva of the Seven Martyrs to the Giardini, the yachts were hard to miss. Most were docked along the adjacent waterway, with tents and picnic chairs set out, and security patrolling each deck. Let’s just say it wasn’t easy to waltz on and take a peek at which billionaire was lounging on board.
For that, I sifted through previous reporting and open-source records to figure out, as best as I could, which titans of industry were in town for the Biennale.
