Bienalsur: A bienal acadêmica que desafia o formato tradicional

The Bienalsur, or International Contemporary Art Biennial of South America, takes place in Buenos Aires and is organized by the public institution UNTREF (Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero). Diana Wechsler, who leads the artistic and academic direction, describes the 'bienal' as a 'Trojan horse' to gather support. Anibal Jozami, the rector, along with his wife Marlise Ilhesca, share a passion for contemporary art. This biennial spans 84 venues across 32 cities in 16 countries, including Japan, France, and Australia, in addition to Latin America. An academic committee from 30 global universities ensures its research-driven approach. The exhibition features an open call with 2,500 submissions, from which 300 were selected, alongside notable displays like 'Take me (I’m yours)' from 1995. Covering five themes, Jozami notes that the show's expenses are lower than expected due to Argentina's lack of cultural funding incentives. The next edition is set for 2019.