2nd THESSALONIKI BIENNALE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
“PRAXIS: Art in Times of Uncertainty”
May 24 – September 27, 2009
Curators: Gabriela Salgado, Bisi Silva, Syrago Tsiara
STATE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Kolokotroni 21, Stavroupoli 56430, Thessaloniki
More than 200 artists / 39 countries/ 22 city’s collaborating institutions/ 20 venues/
12 exhibitions
Main Programme
Rubber sculptures representing human figures that inflate and deflate as though they were breathing are presented by Cesar Martinez at Bezesteni. Mircea Cantor is bringing a flying carpet driven by “Airplanes and Angels” from Romania which finds its place on the ceiling of the entrance to Warehouse C. Women’s perfumes made by a French perfume maker based on the scent of women’s hair, without any chemical processing, soak the fabrics of Macia Oswaldo at Bazaar Hamam, interpreting “10 Notes for a Human Symphony”, the title of the work of art. More than 500 aluminum cans placed in concentric circles, moving counter clock-wise at Warehouse C, a work by Kader Attia, reminding the style of pilgrimage. “Celestial Radio”, a radio station that will broadcast while sailing in the Thermaic Gulf and in fact, from on board a ship/work of art whose hull is covered with thousands of microscopic pieces of mirrors. Poultry fattening cells, reminding a house of parliament or the private theaters of our life are presented by Mary Zygouri at the Bei Hamam. A semi-transparent mesh structure made from more than 200 stockings by Maria Ezcurra welcomes visitors slightly before the entrance to the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. A symbol of femininity that engages in dialogue with the “Planted Saw” in the outdoor area of the Museum.
These are some of the works of the 57 artists and groups from Greece and abroad who will be exhibiting their work in the main programme of the 2nd Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art. It deserves to be noted that a large number of these works of art were produced by the 2nd Biennale and are being displayed in a world premiere in Thessaloniki.
The curators of the main programme of the Biennale are Bisi Silva, Gabriela Salgado and Syrago Tsiara. The works of the artists will be displayed in the venues all over the centre of the city: The openings at the specific venues will take place on May 24 and the public will be able to visit the exhibitions until September 27.
In his provocatively titled book “After Theory“, the English theorist Terry Eagleton -from which this year’s theme for the Biennale is inspired- claims not the death of theory, but the redefinition of its goals and fields of research. Perhaps this time of uncertainty could be the moment for the reconsideration of the intrinsic worth of artistic practice? The moment to explore art as a privileged space for relatively free expression of ideas and thoughts and for an alternative view of the world and the social environment? An art that goes back to life, back to Praxis, to the creative activity that contributes to the formation of a political view and to a new way of thinking and being. According to ancient Chinese philosophy, revolution is realignment with the order of the world. Could this be the time to seek a true revolution? Can art provide a window of opportunity in these uncertain times?
The main exhibition programme is supported by a full programme of pre-bienale projects, a parallel exhibition programme, educational activities, co-productions and editions.
INFO
STATE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Kolokotroni 21, Stavroupoli 56430, Thessaloniki
Τ: +30 2310 589140-1 & 3, F: +30 2310 600123
www.greekstatemuseum.com, info@greekstatemuseum.com
SMCA & BIENNALE Press Office
Yiota Sotiropoulou
Mobile: +30 6972336261, Τ: +30 2310546683 F: +30 2310593271
press@greekstatemuseum.com
