2nd Berlin Biennale: International Scope and Generational Shifts
The second Berlin Biennale took place from April 20 to June 1, 2001, under the direction of Saskia Bos, broadening its reach to a global audience. Unlike Manifesta, it did not impose itself on the landscape of former East Berlin. Significant cultural establishments such as Deutsche Guggenheim and DaimlerChrysler Contemporary emerged, while the biennale promoted relevant projects throughout the city. Jonathan Monk's mini-films showcased generational themes. The event prompted reflections on personal identity and the artist's place in society, highlighting a growing trend towards feminization in art. Spread across four locations, video works and projections were displayed in the Post Office building, with paintings featured at Kunst-Werke Berlin, focusing on installations and films that redefined audience engagement and examined family stories and social narratives.
Key facts
- Second Berlin Biennale held April 20 to June 1, 2001
- Organized by Saskia Bos, director of De Appel Foundation, Amsterdam
- Expanded from German focus to international scope
- Venues included Post Office building, Kunst-Werke Berlin, Jannowitz Bridge metro arcades, Allianz Tower
- Jonathan Monk's films desacralize works by Sol LeWitt and Gerhard Richter
- Video and projections concentrated in Post Office; paintings in Kunst-Werke Berlin
- Artists featured: Amorales, David Claerbout, Fiona Banner, Henrik Håkansson, Kendell Geers, Kutluğ Ataman, Christian Jankowski, Darren Almond, Aernout Mik, Fian Tang, João Penalva, Inka Essenhigh, Hajnal Németh, Fred Tomaselli
- Biennale emphasized installations, films, and video, exploring identity and artist's societal role
Entities
Artists
- Jonathan Monk
- Sol LeWitt
- Gerhard Richter
- Amorales
- David Claerbout
- Fiona Banner
- Henrik Håkansson
- Kendell Geers
- Kutluğ Ataman
- Christian Jankowski
- Darren Almond
- Aernout Mik
- Fian Tang
- João Penalva
- Inka Essenhigh
- Hajnal Németh
- Fred Tomaselli
- Saskia Bos
Institutions
- Berlin Biennale
- De Appel Foundation
- Deutsche Guggenheim
- DaimlerChrysler Contemporary
- Marx Collection
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Kunst-Werke Berlin
- Allianz Tower
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Post Office building
- Kunst-Werke Berlin
- Jannowitz Bridge
- Allianz Tower
- Spree River
Sources
- artpress —