30th São Paulo Biennial: The Imminence of Poetics
The 30th São Paulo Biennial, named 'The Imminence of Poetics,' was held from September 8 to December 9, 2012. Luis Pérez-Oramas served as the artistic director, supported by curators Tobi Maier, André Severo, and Isabella Villanueva. This event showcased approximately 100 artists and nearly 3,000 artworks at the Ibirapuera Park pavilion, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, along with other locations. Rather than adhering to a specific theme, the biennial emphasized individual exhibitions and visual poetics. Highlights included Olivier Nottellet's 'Around' and sculptures by Fernanda Gomes, alongside historical contributions from August Sander and conceptual artists such as Kaprow and Bas Jan Ader, reflecting a rich Latin and Brazilian artistic landscape, featuring talents like Bispo do Rosário and Nydia Negromonte.
Key facts
- 30th São Paulo Biennial took place September 8 – December 9, 2012.
- Artistic director: Luis Pérez-Oramas (born Caracas, 1960), curator at MoMA New York.
- Curatorial team: Tobi Maier, André Severo, Isabella Villanueva.
- Title: 'The Imminence of Poetics' (original: 'A Iminência das Poéticas').
- Around 100 artists from worldwide participated.
- Nearly 3,000 works displayed at Ibirapuera Park pavilion and other venues (museums, metro stations).
- Pavilion designed by Oscar Niemeyer in 1957.
- Biennial had no theme; used 'motif' as a pretext for dialogue.
- Featured historical works: August Sander's portraits, Kaprow, Bas Jan Ader, Franz Erhard Walter.
- Notable contemporary artists: Olivier Nottellet, Fernanda Gomes, Bispo do Rosário, Ricardo Basbaum, Nydia Negromonte, Runo Lagormarsino, Pablo Pijnappel.
- Brazil was the first Southern Hemisphere country to host a major contemporary art biennial (São Paulo since 1951).
Entities
Artists
- Luis Pérez-Oramas
- Tobi Maier
- André Severo
- Isabella Villanueva
- Oscar Niemeyer
- Olivier Nottellet
- Fernanda Gomes
- August Sander
- Kaprow
- Bas Jan Ader
- Franz Erhard Walter
- Bispo do Rosário
- Ricardo Basbaum
- Nydia Negromonte
- Runo Lagormarsino
- Pablo Pijnappel
- Magon
Institutions
- Biennale de São Paulo
- MoMA New York
- Biennale du Mercosul
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Porto Alegre
- Caracas
- New York
- Ibirapuera Park
- Peru
- Sweden
- Netherlands
Sources
- artpress —