Despite a call for calm, a combustible mix of politics and protest punctuated the preview week across the pavilions

The major international art event, which this year reopened its doors to Russia, is facing widespread protests. On the ground, artists are divided.

The theme of earth’s biggest art extravaganza – spiritual rest – felt wildly wrong for our crisis-hit planet. Thank goodness for the pavilions, from fake babies to hi-tech sperm…

Despite a call for calm, a combustible mix of politics and protest punctuated the preview week across the pavilions