Art Encounters Biennial 2019 in Timișoara Emphasizes Local Engagement and Site-Specific Installations
The third Art Encounters Biennial took place in Timișoara, Romania, from 20 September to 27 October 2019, presented as a yearlong initiative. Curators Maria Lind and Anca Rujoiu drew inspiration from Herta Müller, characterizing the event as a meeting of diverse 'winds'. With participation from 80 international artists, including 20 new commissions, the biennial emphasized community involvement through workshops and screenings. Art pieces were displayed in unique locations throughout the city, such as the Corneliu Miklosi Public Transport Museum and the Banat National Museum. Highlights included Agnieszka Polska's 'Wayward Pigeon' and Céline Condorelli's 'Collection Show'. The event showcased the interplay between local identity and global influences, coinciding with Timișoara's preparation to be the European City of Culture in 2021.
Key facts
- Art Encounters Biennial 2019 took place in Timișoara, Romania from 20 September to 27 October 2019.
- Curators Maria Lind and Anca Rujoiu referenced author Herta Müller, avoiding a thematic exhibition.
- The biennial featured 80 international artists, with around 20 new commissions.
- Artworks were installed in non-traditional venues across the city, including museums and public spaces.
- Agnieszka Polska's 'Wayward Pigeon' (2019) was a recurring image throughout the event.
- Film works were showcased at the Youth House, a former Communist Youth Union headquarters.
- Naeem Mohaiemen's film 'Two Meetings and a Funeral' (2017) connected to Timișoara's anti-Ceaușescu history.
- The biennial aimed to resist gentrification while acknowledging its role in Timișoara's transformation as European City of Culture 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Agnieszka Polska
- Ahmet Öğüt
- Michael Beutler
- Céline Condorelli
- Bella Rune
- Ane Hjort Guttu
- Kray Chen
- Taus Makhacheva
- Naeem Mohaiemen
- Dan Acostioaiei
- Herta Müller
- Maria Lind
- Anca Rujoiu
- Nicolae Ceaușescu
- Lawrence Abu Hamdan
- Dan Acostioaei
- Halil Altındere
- Anca Benera
- Arnold Estefan
- Irina Botea Bucan
- Jon Dean
- Pauline Boudry
- Renate Lorenz
- Filipa César
- Louis Henderson
- Alexandra Croitoru
- Chto delat
- Aslan Gaisumov
- Ane Graff
- Alma Heikkilä
- Sandi Hilal
- Alessandro Petti
- Dora García
- Ho Tzu Nyen
- Gunilla Klingberg
- Gülsün Karamustafa
- Behzad Khosravi Noori
- Vilmos Koter
- Matts Leiderstam
- Anne Low
- Virginia Lupu
- Liliana Mercioiu Popa
- Metahaven
- Ana Maria Millán
- Malgorzata Mirga-Tas
- Monotremu
- Tanja Muravskaja
- Ciprian Mureșan
- Joar Nango
- Pınar Öğrenci
- Ahmet Ögüt
- The Otolith Group
- Trevor Paglen
- Gary-Ross Pastrana
- Lia Perjovschi
- Peles Empire
- Thao Nguyen Phan
- Zac Langdon-Pole
- Ghenadie Popescu
- Vandy Rattana
- STEALTH.unlimited
- Zhou Tao
- Iulia Toma
- Tur de Arhitectura
- Mona Vătămanu
- Florin Tudor
- Anton Vidokle
- Haegue Yang
- Mădălina Zaharia
- Zephyr
- Želimir Žilnik
Institutions
- Art Encounters Biennial
- Corneliu Miklosi Public Transport Museum
- Banat National Museum
- Communist Consumer Museum
- Youth House
- Timiș Communist Youth Union
- Documenta 14
- European City of Culture
- ArtReview
- EU
- Forensic Architecture
- Collection Collective
- Chto delat
- Metahaven
- The Otolith Group
- Peles Empire
- STEALTH.unlimited
- Tur de Arhitectura
Locations
- Timișoara
- Romania
- Banat
- Syria
- Dagestan
- Singapore