Unfortunatly Spiffy that is how most artists do stuff these days, its all heavily conceptual, and the viewer has to take from it what they want. You dont need any degree to understand the work, just your feelings and ideas and anything else that you take from the work, is what it is about.
I am studying an Fine Arts degre at the moment, and I know that is how most of the teachers want you to do stuff. It is good in an studying sense, because you can be lazy and just BullSh*t your way into getting a good mark.

But with total freedom, comes boring unexplainable work... anways, just my current thought.
Also you dont have to like everything. I am pretty vocal when I dont like an artwork or perfomance. It is often harder to explain why you dont like it, then be a sheep and just agree with everyone else.
I went to the Beinale, liked alot of the work. the Tai Chi guy was definatly one of the best! the Car was good also. I think was great was just the setting that then instalations were put in, such great places to exhibit work. I also liked the one with the communist leader's bodies.. 'G5 summit' or something... was cool with Castro sleeping.
If you liked these works, then go and see Sculpture by the Sea, when its on, cool stuff there also.