Gunnar B. Kvaran Curates 12th Lyon Biennale with Focus on Narrative Structures and Younger Artists

The 12th Biennale de Lyon, curated by Gunnar B. Kvaran, opens on 12 September 2013 and runs until 5 January 2014. Kvaran, director of Oslo's Astrup Fearnley Museum, deliberately selected many younger artists to capture contemporary currents, viewing the biennale as a riskier platform than his museum role. Artistic director Thierry Raspail provided the thematic word 'Transmission,' which led Kvaran to focus on artists experimenting with new narrative methodologies rather than content alone. Historical figures Yoko Ono, Erró, and Alain Robbe-Grillet serve as foundational influences, alongside mid-career artists like Matthew Barney, Robert Gober, Fabrice Hyber, Jeff Koons, Paul Chan, and Ann Lislegaard. Younger participants include Paulo Nazareth, whose performative walks trace slave routes, and a notable UK contingent: Ed Atkins, James Richards, Helen Marten, and Ed Fornieles. A unique public engagement initiative invites Lyon residents to host artworks in their homes, addressing criticisms of biennale culture's transient nature. Video works are capped at ten minutes, with dedicated weekends for longer films and performances. Kvaran emphasizes the fragmentation of contemporary storytelling across digital media and global art centers, rejecting a single narrative center.