Ai Weiwei
Ann-Sofi Siden
Antoni Abad
Luis Felipe Noe'
Katharina Grosse
Martine Viale
Peter Kubelka
Regina Silveira
William Kentridge
Teixeira Coelho
Ticio Escobar
Stephanie Dahn Batista
Adriana Almada
Tereza de Arruda
Maria Amelia Bulhoes
Fernando Ribeiro
Ricardo Corona
The exhibition featuring works by 150 artists from five continents in more than 100 spaces around the city. In this XX 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.
curated by Teixeira Coelho & Ticio Escobar
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 (MASP) 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.
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.
Sponsorship
The Municipal Government of Curitiba/Curitiba Cultural Foundation and Banco
Itaú present the 2013 Curitiba International Biennial, which takes place through
the Federal Law Encouraging Culture from the Ministry of Culture (the Rouanet
Law). This edition is also sponsored by Petrobrás, BNDES, Votorantim
Cimentos, Volvo, as well as Copel and Sanepar through Conta Cultura. Co-
sponsorship is by Barigui Financeira and Construtora JL, with support from the
Government of Paraná/Secretary of State for Culture, Sesi of Paraná, and
the Sistema Fecomércio Sesc Senac PR. Promotion is by RPC TV and Gazeta
do Povo.
The 2013 Curitiba International Biennial has institutional partnerships with the
Municipal Secretary of Education, the State Secretary of Education, the
Municipal Institute of Tourism, the Federal University of Paraná, Unespar/FAP,
Unespar/Embap, The Municipal Secretary for Social Communication, and Apap
(the Professional Association of Plastic Artists of Paraná). It also receives
cultural support from the Goethe-Institut, Aliança Francesa, Instituto Cervantes,
PUC-PR and Universidade Positivo.
Press contacts:
Heitor Humberto +55 41 3223-8424 imprensa@bienaldecuritiba.com.br
Sorttie Soluções Criativas
Paula Melech I (41) 9688-0807 I paula@sorttie.com.br
Maria Amin I (41) 7814-1463 I maria@sorttie.com.br
Juliana Ceccatto I (41) 8883-0194 I juckto@sorttie.com.br
(41) 3024-8003 I contato@sorttie.com.br
rua Comendador Araújo, 86 sala 13 – CURITIBA- PR