Hedwig Fijen on Manifesta 11's Zurich Edition and European Neutrality

Hedwig Fijen, founder of Manifesta, explains the choice of Zurich for the 2016 biennial, citing Switzerland's historical neutrality and deep cultural ties to Europe. She emphasizes that Manifesta's mission is to examine Europe's cultural topography, not to follow economic criteria. Zurich's perfect infrastructure lacks international attention for contemporary art, which Manifesta aims to remedy through mediation and education. Fijen reflects on Manifesta 10 in Saint Petersburg, noting that it spurred five new museums in the city and empowered local staff, though she acknowledges limited political impact. The Nicosia edition exposed Europe's imperfections, with the Greek-Cypriot president closing an almost-complete art school, dividing the curatorial team. For Manifesta 11, Fijen describes the title 'What People Do for Money' as playful and serious, not provocative. Collaborations with Zurich's universities, including ZhDK and ETH, are central. She hopes the biennial will address critical issues like terrorism, migration, and climate change, marking a new decade for Manifesta.