São Paulo Bienal Foundation launches Bienal Prática, pioneering AI-driven accessibility platform for 36th edition

The 36th Bienal de São Paulo has introduced Bienal Prática, a digital mediation platform created by the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo. This innovative tool incorporates AI, image recognition, augmented reality, and features designed for accessibility. In collaboration with the startup Real Again, the platform enables visitors to engage with artworks using their smartphone cameras without needing to download an app. It activates IARA, a multilingual avatar that communicates in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, offering guidance and tours. The initiative includes gamification elements, prompting users to identify artworks and uncover surprises. With 30 participants, it transforms curatorial ideas into accessible formats. Andrea Pinheiro, the Fundação's president, describes it as groundbreaking for contemporary art accessibility, complemented by enhanced resources like audio guides and materials for neurodivergent individuals.