On the Ground at the Venice Biennale

Scenes from the pre-opening at the pivotal art event.

The exhibitions have been installed. The artists have arrived. The city of Venice is prepared to welcome throngs of visitors from across the world.

The 2024 Venice Biennale, featuring work by more than 330 participating artists from some 90 countries scattered throughout the city, opens to the public on Saturday. And before that come the pre-opening celebrations, early viewing opportunities — and at least one act of protest.

Gus Powell, a photographer for The New York Times, is on the ground covering the spectacle that makes the Biennale one of the premier events in the art world’s global calendar.