‘How can nudity be so provocative?’ Florentina Holzinger on rocking Venice with naked jetskiers, human bells and urine divers

The artist’s Austrian Pavilion, which features a performer ringing a bell with her body and another immersed in the audience’s own urine, is the talk of the biennale. Why is she so surprised by people’s reaction? It’s a damp Venice morning. In the middle of the lagoon, art world luminaries with dripping umbrellas are climbing on to a boat with raked seating to witness a one-off performance. Stationed opposite them is a barge fitted with a large crane, its boom extended high above the water, i...

By Hettie Judah