World Biennial Forum No 2
November 26–30, 2014
Auditório Ibirapuera
Avenida Pedro Álvares Cabral s/n
Parque Ibirapuera
São Paulo – SP, 04094-050
Brazil
www.worldbiennialforum.org
www.biennialfoundation.org
Organized by:
Biennial Foundation
Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
ICCo – Instituto de Cultura ContemporâneaDirected by:
Charles Esche, Galit Eilat, Nuria Enguita Mayo, Pablo Lafuente, and Oren Sagiv
On the occasion of the 31st Bienal de São Paulo (September 6–December 7), Biennial Foundation is pleased to announce the World Biennial Forum No 2.
The World Biennial Forum is a gathering of biennial practitioners and appreciators to examine and discuss the foremost topics and concerns within international contemporary arts. The World Biennial Forum’s role is to signal primary concerns in biennial art environments, investigating and researching the various modes of operation and production in different regions, and offering insights into the current issues and needs surrounding art biennials worldwide.
The five-day event, from November 26 to 30, will be composed of thematic debates open to the public, internal workshops for biennial organizers on practical aspects of biennial work, as well as optional guided tours of exhibition venues in and out of São Paulo.
The Forum’s practice is to work as a partnership, hosted first by the Gwangju Biennale in South Korea (WBF No 1, 2012). The World Biennial Forum No 2 will be organized in collaboration with Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, ICCo – Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea, and the Ministério da Cultura do Brazil. It will form an integral part of the public program of the 31st Bienal de São Paulo, curated by Charles Esche, Galit Eilat, Nuria Enguita Mayo, Pablo Lafuente, and Oren Sagiv, who will also function as the Forum’s artistic directors.
Luis Terepins, President of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, has said, “I believe that the Bienal de São Paulo should be a stage for a discussion on exhibition formats and, more generally, the role of art in society today, and should take on the challenge of hosting the WBF No 2. The Bienal de São Paulo’s role is to continuously search for new configurations, reflections and propositions. Collaborating with the Forum is yet another way for the Bienal de São Paulo to develop and reaffirm itself.”
Founding Director of Biennial Foundation, Marieke van Hal, is honored to have found new partners for the World Biennial Forum in Brazil. “The Bienal de São Paulo stands out internationally because of the way it expands access to the world of art for a diversified public, by enabling people of a range of ages, social classes and cultural levels to take part in its activities. I’ve always been impressed by the Bienal de São Paulo and its emphasis on serving the whole community. It will be interesting to see in what way it can work as an example and inspiration for other biennials internationally.”
ICCo – Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea, raised the funds for the Forum and will be in charge of the coordination and production locally. As Artistic Director of ICCo – Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea, Daniel Rangel comments, “The first Forum proposed pertinent discussions, creating invaluable interconnections between biennials and all those involved in their activities. Bringing the WBF 2 to São Paulo is important, as it will allow us to create an atmosphere for learning, exchanging and building on one another’s experiences and practices on a global level. I look forward to exploring what contemporary art biennials can share.”
An introductory preview launch of the World Biennial Forum No 2 is scheduled to take place in Berlin during the General Assembly of the International Biennial Association at Ifa’s Gallery on July 12.
Biennial Foundation (BF) is an independent NPO founded in the Netherlands (2009) to create a spirit of solidarity among biennials worldwide, and to facilitate a diversity of platforms for the exchange of information and expertise.
For initial enquiries
Biennial Foundation
Lisa Mazza: lm [at] biennialfoundation.org
www.biennialfoundation.org
ICCo – Instituto de Cultura Contemporânea
Julia Saleme: wbf2 [at] icco.art.br
www.icco.art.br
Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
www.bienal.org.br
WBF No 2 is presented by the Ministry of Culture of Brazil, and Banco Itaú.
Partners: Prefeitura de São Paulo, Secretaria de Cultura e Secretaria do Verde e Meio Ambiente, Ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, Itaú Cultural, Auditório Ibirapuera, IBA – International Biennial Association.
Sponsors of WBF No 2. Launch, Berlin: Federal Foreign Office/Germany, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands/Berlin.
