Busan Biennale 2024 Challenges Artistic Privilege Through Political Solidarity and Self-Awareness
The 2024 Busan Biennale, themed 'Seeing in the Dark,' is scheduled to take place from 17 August to 20 October in Busan, South Korea, under the curation of Vera Mey and Philipp Pirotte. This event showcases 62 artists who delve into themes of societal darkness and the experiences of marginalized communities. Among the featured works is Omar Chowdhury's video BAN♡ITS (2024), which examines artistic privilege at the India-Bangladesh border. Additionally, John Vea's Section 69ZD Employment Relations Act 2000 (2019) introduces a tea-break station in New Zealand, while Cha Ji Ryang's Like everything being seen has a bow (2024) reflects on the luxury of art-making. The biennial draws inspiration from David Graeber's Pirate Enlightenment (2023) and includes contributions from Yun Suknam, Taring Padi, Subversive Film, and Theanly Chov, highlighting themes of solidarity and self-awareness.
Key facts
- Busan Biennale 2024 runs 17 August – 20 October
- Artistic directors are Vera Mey and Philipp Pirotte
- Features 62 artists or artist groups
- Main venue is Busan Museum of Contemporary Art
- Includes offsite venues Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum and Hansung1918
- References David Graeber's book Pirate Enlightenment, or the Real Libertalia (2023)
- Philipp Pirotte was on documenta 15 selection committee
- Taring Padi's work caused anti-Semitic controversy at documenta 15
Entities
Artists
- Vera Mey
- Philipp Pirotte
- Omar Chowdhury
- John Vea
- Cha Ji Ryang
- Han Mengyun
- David Graeber
- Nika Dubrovsky
- Fred Moten
- Stefano Harney
- Zun Lee
- Yun Suknam
- Theanly Chov
- Paul Seban
- Gerard Guillaume
- Mustafa Abu Ali
- Jean Chamoun
- Pino Adriano
- Heath Ledger
Institutions
- Busan Biennale
- Busan Museum of Contemporary Art
- Busan Modern and Contemporary History Museum
- Hansung1918
- Taring Padi
- Subversive Film
- ArtReview Asia
- documenta 15
Locations
- Busan
- South Korea
- New Zealand
- Belgium
- India
- Bangladesh
- North America
- Korea
- Madagascar
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Palestine