Cool Hunting

28th São Paulo Biennial by Phuong-Cac Nguyen

MauricioIines1.jpg

In spite of strong criticism about its anti-biennial "In Living Contact" theme, the 28th São Paulo Biennial nevertheless seemed to please attendees at the kickoff last Saturday, probably due in part to the hands-on participation element. Everyone left with tons of reading material in their hands, from little art books to mini posters.

Curated by Ivo Mesquita and Ana Paula Cohen, this year's biennial is the talk of the art town because the duo developed the 42-day event around what they see as a general crisis in art biennials: that they've lost their purpose as cutting-edge exhibitions and instead just serve as jumping off points for artists to sell their work. Coupled with this statement was the daring Open Plan on the second level, also dubbed "The Void." Consisting of an entire floor of the vast Oscar Niemeyer-designed building left completely empty, it's supposed to provoke new ideas rather than make a statement about art (or, more to the point, the lack thereof).

Marina-Abramovic-1.jpg Carsten-Holler-2.jpg

As a break from the usual art biennial model, the curators organized the show into works that would instigate reflection about the very theme, with interactivity the key to the success of their chosen direction. On the first floor, visitors can exchange a copy of their key for one that opens one of the building's doors for the duration of the event at a booth by artist Paul Ramirez Jonas. Carsten Höller's giant, steep and curvy slides (above right) got even those decked out in high heels for a ride. The third floor is dedicated to an archive of sorts, with catalogs from international art biennials (below left).

3rdfloor.jpg Allan-McCollum-1.jpg

Video is an integral part of this São Paulo Art Biennial and televisions spread throughout different areas of the building show old works, chief among them a tribute to legendary Yugoslavian performance artist Marina Abramovic (middle row, right).

In addition to the exhibits, music, performance and discussions will take place. Other international artists from the 42 chosen include Fischerspooner, Sophie Calle and Allan McCollum, with the national round-up comprised of names like Mauricio Ianes (installation pictured top right) and Iran do Espirito Santo.

The 28th São Paulo Biennial
Through 6 December 2008
Ibirapuera Park, Gate 3
São Paulo, Brazil map

Tools
Print
Email
Save / Bookmark
fShare Share
Permanent link
Sphere It
This entry posted on 29 October 2008 at 6:44 PM
Related Entries
Advertisement
The Fish That Ate the Shooting Star
I am in Sao Paulo for the opening of "The Fish That Ate the Shooting Star" Os Gemeos' first solo show in their homeland, Brazil, opening today, 28 July 2006. Most of Os Gemeos' friends and family in Brazil have never experienced their installations, and they've really outdone themselves for the occassion. There are details upon details upon details. In the middle of the...
Banksy Versus Bristol Museum
by Ariston Anderson Street artist Banksy makes breaking the rules an artform, but his current exhibit, a legal installation of over 100 pieces at Bristol's City Museum & Art Gallery is surprising even his closest followers. Playing on earlier covert stunts that targeted the Tate and MoMA, in an unusual reversal, this time the institution welcomes the anonymous artist with open arms for his...
Henrique Oliveria: Tapumes
Henrique Oliveria is, at the least, an artist affected by his surroundings. As a student in São Paulo, Brazil, Oliveira harvested the remains of the fence outside his window, which had begun to peel and break in layers of color, and turned it into a hurricane of art for his senior show. Tapumes, Portuguese for the wood Oliveira uses, is ubiquitous throughout São Paulo....
Dufala Brothers: Trophy
I'd never heard of Steven and Billy Blaise Dufala, two brothers producing art together under the moniker Dufala Brothers, until yesterday when Amy Adams, director of Fleisher/Ollman Gallery in Philadelphia, sent me a couple of jaw-dropping images of their recent work. Now I'm contemplating a day trip to Philly just to see their installation. "Long Runner" (below) and "Special Air Mission 28000" (right), are both...
Recent Cool Hunting Videosview all Cool Hunting Videos
Advertisement
Advertisement
Recent Entries

J. Howells Werthman: We Are Making Plans


PhoneSuit MiLi Pro Video Projector


iPhone HP Calculators


Society6


Bedol Eco-Friendly Water Drop Clock


Context x Kicking Mule 1980 Hand Dye Jeans


Liquid Image Camera Goggles


Interview with Erik Madigan Heck of Nomenus Quarterly


Photographer Julia Fullerton-Batten