34th São Paulo Bienal Confronts Brazil's Crises with Indigenous and Black Art
The 34th Bienal de São Paulo, named 'Though It’s Dark, Still I Sing,' commenced on September 4, 2021, at the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion. Curated by Jacopo Crivelli Visconti, the exhibition tackles pressing issues in Brazil for 2021, such as COVID-19, political negligence, inflation, and the deforestation of the Amazon. Featured artists include Uýra with self-portraits, Andrea Fraser’s satirical news pieces, and a focus on Black and indigenous creators. Key works consist of Jaider Esbell's reimagined art history book, paintings by Daiara Tukano, Sueli Maxakali's installation of spirit women, and Abel Rodriguez's ink drawings. The Bienal also showcases Arjan Martins' installation on the slave trade and João Cândido's embroideries, concluding with interviews by Manthia Diawara and a video from Ana Adamović. The event is set to run until December 5, 2021.
Key facts
- The 34th Bienal de São Paulo is titled 'Though It’s Dark, Still I Sing.'
- Curator Jacopo Crivelli Visconti organized the exhibition.
- It was held from September 4 to December 5, 2021.
- The venue is the Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion in São Paulo, designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
- The exhibition responds to Brazil's 2021 crises: pandemic, deforestation, political issues, and inflation.
- It features significant works by indigenous and Black artists addressing colonialism and racism.
- Andrea Fraser's 1998 satirical reports on the Bienal's sponsorships are included as institutional critique.
- The Bienal has never been led by a Black or indigenous curator in its 70-year history.
Entities
Artists
- Uýra
- Carmela Gross
- Jacopo Crivelli Visconti
- Ana Adamović
- Andrea Fraser
- Paulo Herkenhoff
- Jaider Esbell
- Lasar Segall
- Lygia Pape
- Daiara Tukano
- Sueli Maxakali
- Abel Rodriguez
- Lee 'Scratch' Perry
- Arjan Martins
- João Cândido
- Juraci Dórea
- Manthia Diawara
- Wole Soyinka
- Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
Institutions
- 34th Bienal de São Paulo
- Fundação Bienal
- National Museum in Rio de Janeiro
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro
- Bogotá
- Colombia
- Amazon