BIENALSUR's Global Network Challenges Traditional Biennial Models with Decentralized Approach
Launched in 2015 through discussions at Argentina's Universidad Nacional Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), BIENALSUR is an international platform that embraces a decentralized approach, moving away from a single-city emphasis. Artistic director Diana Wechsler notes its origins in the analysis of 20th-century biennial models. Operating across various cities and continents, BIENALSUR preserves local identities and encourages collaboration through an international council and open artist proposals. Featured projects include "Modos de Ver" and "Memórias e Esquecimento," with Brazilian artist Rosângela Rennó's installation Good Apples, Bad Apples illustrating the latter theme. Colombian artist Iván Argote's work was showcased in Benin, while Uruguayan artist Paola Monzillo's residency in Marrakesh culminated in an exhibition. Despite financial constraints, BIENALSUR emphasizes symbolic meaning over attendance figures.
Key facts
- BIENALSUR launched in 2015 from Universidad Nacional Tres de Febrero (UNTREF) in Buenos Aires
- Platform operates simultaneously across multiple cities and continents without single-city focus
- Uses international collaborative council instead of single curator model
- Receives hundreds of proposals through open calls from established and emerging artists
- Thematic axes include "Modos de Ver," "Memórias e Esquecimento," and "Trânsitos, Migrações e Exílios"
- Rosângela Rennó's installation Good Apples, Bad Apples exhibited at MUNTREF in Buenos Aires
- Iván Argote's "Ateliê de Ativismo para Crianças" implemented in Benin through Fundação Zinsou partnership
- Prioritizes symbolic/historical significance over audience numbers or exhibition frequency
Entities
Artists
- Diana Wechsler
- Aníbal Jozami
- Rosângela Rennó
- Betsabé Romero
- Iván Argote
- Paola Monzillo
- Andrea Fernández
- Inka Gressel
Institutions
- BIENALSUR
- Universidad Nacional Tres de Febrero (UNTREF)
- MUNTREF
- Fundação Zinsou
- MACCAL
- MAXXI
- Centro Paco Urondo
- BIENALSUR (Bienal Internacional de Arte Contemporánea do Sul)
- Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (Untref)
- National University Tres de Febrero (UNTREF)
- Zinsou Foundation
- MACCAL Annual Program
- Paco Urondo Center
Locations
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina
- Benin
- Africa
- Marrakesh
- Potosí
- Bolivia
- Rome
- Colombia
- Venezuela
- Salta
- Riyadh
- Saudi Arabia
- Japan
- Europe
- Latin America
- France
- Italy