Bienal de Curitiba 2013

Curitiba International Biennial begins August 31 In 2013 the Curitiba International Biennial will celebrate 20 years of giving priority to art that takes it to the streets, with activities that are not restricted to the museums and art galleries, but which instead take up urban space. Sponsored by Itaú-Unibanco and with support from Itaú Cultural, its general curators are art critics Teixeira Coelho and Ticio Escobar (Valencia Biennial); the festival takes place in the capital of Parana between August 31 and December 1, featuring works by artists from five continents in more than 100 spaces around the city.

“The only criteria for selecting the works is quality and pertinence: they should express quality and be capable of highlighting some of the countless issues of contemporary art,” state the general curators in explaining why they opted to set aside the practice of choosing a theme and a title for biennials.

Under the curatorship of Coelho and Escobar, and of Stephanie Dahn Batista (curatorial coordination), Adriana Almada (adjunct general curator), Tereza de Arruda (associate), Maria Amélia Bulhões, Fernando Ribeiro, and Ricardo Corona (the three guest curators), 150 artists were selected. Considering the training of new professionals, the Biennial established the Young Curators Prize. In this edition, Angelo Luz, Debora Santiago, Kamilla Nunes, and Renan Araujo were selected. Among the artists are such names as Ai Weiwei (China), Ann-Sofi Sidén (Sweden), Antoni Abad (Spain), Luis Felipe Noé (Argentina), Katharina Grosse (Germany), Martine Viale (Canada), Peter Kubelka (Austria), Regina Silveira (Brazil), and William Kentridge (South Africa).

In this edition, urban art and performance art receive special attention, since not only are they ever stronger and more present on the international scene, but they also offer direct and immediate contact with the community. As if that were not enough, the street works help to fulfill the role of leaving a more lasting heritage, boosting their activities beyond the exhibition period. Literature and web art also receive ample space in the event.

“The Biennial is an excellent opportunity to have contact with what is most contemporary in the art world. By observing the works, viewing the performances, visiting a museum, it is possible to cross geographic frontiers and expand one’s cultural repertoire. This year, the Biennial will involve the whole city, provoking people in a different way,” affirms the Biennial’s director-general, Luiz Ernesto Meyer Pereira.

Educational
 The Votorantim Cimentos Educational Project, under the curatorship of Professor Luciano Buchmann, seeks to prolong and enhance the Biennial’s effects in the public education system. The intention is to create a multiplying network of knowledge with lectures, roundtables, and guided visits. Educational material will be published (also available as a download), impacting professors, students, and the community in general. All the school libraries in Paraná will receive this publication.

History 
The Curitiba International Biennial had its first edition in 1993, when it was still called “VentoSul − Mostra de Artes Plásticas” (“SouthWind – Plastic Arts”), with artists from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. In 1995, it expanded to include participation by artists from Chile and Uruguay. The highlight of the 1997 edition was journeying, with works going to great cultural centers such as the Assis Chateaubriand Museum of Art Sao Paulo (MASP) and the Recoleta Cultural Center (Buenos Aires).

In 2007, the show became thematic, with works related to “Contemporary Narratives.” In 2009, the broad theme was “Great Water: Altered Maps”, bringing artists such as Bruce Naumann, Gary Hill, and Marina Abramovic. In 2011, it was titled the Curitiba Biennial, and transformed the city into a large space for contemporary art, highlighting the educational project seeking to democratize the visual arts. In 2013, the Curitiba International Biennial commemorates 20 years of history and has been established as one of the most important events of the global circuit.

+ Circuits In order to expand and consolidate local connections, the Biennial supports the realization of three circuits. FICBIC, the Curitiba Biennial International Cinema Festival, which takes place September 24-29, is curated by Eduardo Baggio. Programming includes the exhibition of domestic and international films and a competitive university show; the prize is a trip to the 64th International Cinema Festival in Berlin. CUBIC, the University Circuit of the Curitiba International Biennial, promotes debates and reflections and shows work by university artists. The Gallery Circuit includes special programming in the city’s main contemporary art galleries.

Open Biennial During the three months when the Curitiba International Biennial takes place, public and private institutions will hold parallel programming. The Open Biennial, coordinated by artist and professor Tom Lisboa, seeks to bring art and community together, increasing its reach.

Itineraries
 There are three types of itineraries for those wishing to visit the Biennial: by foot, by bicycle, and by van. Just choose the best trajectory, schedule your visit on the site, and enjoy everything that the city has to show. You can also get a bilingual pocket guide that shows where the works are located, whether they are in an exhibition hall or in the streets. This is a great option for tourists coming to Curitiba during the Biennial.

Itaú Unibanco It is not just today that the bank understands preservation and access to national culture to be the foundation for developing a critical and independent society. Among its initiatives in the area of culture, we can point out the creation of Itaú Cultural 25 years ago, the Itaú Cinema Space, and the bank’s support of important popular festivals throughout Brazil in order to value initiatives in the communities where it has a presence, and to provide incentives for social and cultural development in these communities, such as the Curitiba Theater Festival, the Paraty International Literary Festival (FLIP), the Joinville Dance Festival, Carnaval in Salvador, and Rock in Rio, among others.