Cascais Water Biennale Opens with Site-Specific Works Addressing Global Water Crisis
Cascais, Portugal, is hosting its inaugural Bienal del Agua, showcasing 'Le impronte dell’acqua' (The Traces of Water), under the curation of Demetrio Paparoni. This exhibition, located at Centro Congressos Estoril, presents the works of approximately sixty artists, focusing on themes of water and climate change. Noteworthy pieces include Tadashi Kawamata's installation, Monica Bonvicini's 2016 painting 'Ivan & Louise', Jordi Bernadó's 'Lac Telé' from 2022, and a mural by Ding Yi. The event features contributions from Italian artists like Gian Maria Tosatti and Liu Jianhua, as well as renowned figures such as Marina Abramović and William Kentridge. Organized by Oliver Water, the biennial will continue until September 6, 2026, and will also host additional exhibitions and a conference at Universidade Nova.
Key facts
- First Bienal del Agua in Cascais, Portugal, opens with central exhibition 'Le impronte dell’acqua'.
- Curated by Demetrio Paparoni, who also serves as General Commissioner.
- Exhibition features around sixty artists and is held at Centro Congressos Estoril.
- Tadashi Kawamata presents a large site-specific installation with wooden houses on painted bands.
- Monica Bonvicini's 'Ivan & Louise' (2004) from 'Hurricanes and Other Catastrophes' series is included.
- Jordi Bernadó's 'Lac Telé' (2022) depicts a lake in the Republic of Congo.
- Ding Yi created a large black-and-white mural for the show.
- Alexander Brodsky's installation shows an oil field with ruined buildings via mirrors.
- Nicola Samorì's 'Nubifregio' (2010) is paired with Philipp Fürhofer's neon work.
- Gian Maria Tosatti's 'Casa dell’anima' and Liu Jianhua's 'Extraterrestrial Object' (2026) are in dialogue.
- Italian artists include Masbedo, Mimmo Jodice, Sergio Fermariello, Andrea Mastrovito, Paola Pivi, Massimo Vitali.
- Other artists: Marina Abramović, Ian Davenport, Roni Horn, William Kentridge, Robert Longo, Anselm Reyle, Thomas Ruff, Joana Vasconcelos, Wang Guangyi, Yan Pei-Ming, Zhang Huan.
- Exhibition space designed by Paparoni and collaborators.
- Produced by Oliver Water, with support from city institutions.
- Theme chosen by CEO Esteban Campolongo and director Consuelo Ciscar.
- Other shows: 'Cápsula Oliver Water' at Centro Cultural de Cascais, curated by Consuelo Ciscar; sculptures curated by Margarita de Aizpuru.
- Conference at Universidade Nova produced 'Appello di Cascais' (Manifesto dell’Acqua).
- Biennial runs until September 6, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Tadashi Kawamata
- Monica Bonvicini
- Jordi Bernadó
- Ding Yi
- Alexander Brodsky
- Nicola Samorì
- Philipp Fürhofer
- Gian Maria Tosatti
- Liu Jianhua
- Masbedo
- Mimmo Jodice
- Sergio Fermariello
- Andrea Mastrovito
- Paola Pivi
- Massimo Vitali
- Marina Abramović
- Ian Davenport
- Roni Horn
- William Kentridge
- Robert Longo
- Anselm Reyle
- Thomas Ruff
- Joana Vasconcelos
- Wang Guangyi
- Yan Pei-Ming
- Zhang Huan
- Mattia Preti
- Yoko Ono
- Júlio Quaresma
- José Manuel Ciria
- José Sanleón
- Teresa Cháfer
- Sonia Lukene
- Natividad Navalón
- Moisés Preto
- José Villa
- Chen Ting-Jung
- Demetrio Paparoni
- Esteban Campolongo
- Consuelo Ciscar
- Margarita de Aizpuru
- Juana de Aizpuru
- Chiara Stefani
- Manuela Lietti
- Federico Capasso Morante
- Isabel Muñoz
- José Cosme
- Miquel Navarro
- Consuelo Císcar
Institutions
- Bienal del Agua
- Centro Congressos Estoril
- Oliver Water
- Centro Cultural de Cascais
- Universidade Nova
- Biennale di Venezia
- Artribune
- Water Biennial
- Estoril Congress Centre
Locations
- Cascais
- Portugal
- Estoril
- Republic of the Congo
- Santiago de Chile
- Italy