Gwangju Biennale 2006: Fever Variations
The 6th Gwangju Biennale, named Fever Variations, took place in Jungoei Park, South Korea, from September 8 to November 11, 2006. Under the direction of Kim Hong-hee, eight curators, such as Wu Hung and Binghui Huangfu, contributed to the event. This biennale was divided into two segments—Asia and the global context—examining the interplay between local and international themes, including nature/body and past/present. Notable traditional Asian elements featured Buddhas and zen gardens. Taiwanese artist Chen Chieh-Jen presented a video installation that recreated a photograph of an execution from 1900. Michael Joo, a Korean artist, received the grand prize for his Buddha installation, while the Western section highlighted political documentaries. Trends showcased Asian artists emphasizing local identity and Western artists tackling globalization's political challenges.
Key facts
- 6th Gwangju Biennale titled Fever Variations
- September 8 to November 11, 2006
- Biennale Hall, Jungoei Park, South Korea
- Artistic director: Kim Hong-hee (Seoul)
- Eight curators: Wu Hung, Binghui Huangfu, Shaheen Merali, Jacquelynn Baas, Cristina Ricupero, Beeck Jee-Sook, Chris Gilbert, Cira Pascual Marquina
- Two chapters: Asia and rest of the world, local vs global
- Binary themes: nature/body, past/present, myths/dreams
- Predominance of traditional Asian cultural references
- Chen Chieh-Jen video installation reenacting 1900 execution photo
- Michael Joo won grand prize for Buddha surveillance installation
- Western section featured political documentaries, not artworks
- Exhibiting US Imperialism and War with Latin American collectives
- Nomeda and Gediminas Urbonas won encouragement prize for protest laboratory
- Two trends: Asian identity through clichés, Western political dematerialization
Entities
Artists
- Kim Hong-hee
- Wu Hung
- Binghui Huangfu
- Shaheen Merali
- Jacquelynn Baas
- Cristina Ricupero
- Beeck Jee-Sook
- Chris Gilbert
- Cira Pascual Marquina
- Chen Chieh-Jen
- Michael Joo
- Nomeda Urbonas
- Gediminas Urbonas
- Nicolas Trembley
Institutions
- Gwangju Biennale
- Biennale Hall
Locations
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Jungoei Park
- Seoul
- Chicago
- Sydney
- Berlin
- Michigan
- Paris
- Caracas
- China
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Taiwan
- Lithuania
- Latin America
Sources
- artpress —