Entry 5: Opening Week I

The first part of opening week for me started on Friday and continued on Monday (as i'm not able to work weekends due to my other working commitments). On friday afternoon, PPE interns and supervisors had a meeting prior to the artists/staff bbq on cockatoo island. We went over our rather hectic schedules for opening week and then got to meet a number of artists and benefactors who were also on the island for the bbq. Its quite amazing to be able to meet artists in person in a professional environment, and to be able to chat to them about their practice and interests. To be quite honest, i was pretty much starstruck for the whole of opening week. The following week was interesting and exciting. Being the only intern who hadn't yet been to the airport for a pick-up, i was sent to get Cai Guo Qiang's assistant who had jetted all the way from New York. As part of Opening week, the interns were moving between the office, the airport, the several Biennale venues and the Sofitel Wentworth, which is where all the artists were staying. The following day was the Vernissage/Media Preview. I had the opportunity to usher one of the artists on Cockatoo Island, Barthelemy Toguo to and from the Island for the Media preview. We then helped him complete his performance outside the MCA. That night was the MCA opening, and we were able to attend the post-drinks at the Opera Bar. Wednesday the 12th of May was the big opening day - the First Day the 17th Biennale of Sydney was open to the public. It was a big day - going from venue to venue, cockatoo island, then to the MCA to set up for the Artists talks, arrange the Education Hub, etc. I'll address Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the Opening Week in more detail in the next Entry, stay tuned.