Liverpool Biennial 2012: The Unexpected Guest
The seventh edition of the Liverpool Biennial, the largest contemporary art festival in the UK, took place from September 15 to November 25, 2012, across 27 different locations. Curated by Sally Tallant and themed 'The Unexpected Guest,' the event showcased the works of 279 artists hailing from 72 nations. Significant sites included the Cunard Building, which displayed pieces by Mona Hatoum, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Sylvie Blocher, and Pamela Rosenkranz. Among the standout features were a massive inflatable pillow by Audrius Bučas and Valdas Ozarinskas, a 'VIP' door by Elmgreen & Dragset, and a hotel room installation by Markus Kåhre. Ming Wong's video addressed Hollywood stereotypes, while Doug Aitken's 'The Source' presented artist interviews. John Akomfrah's 'The Unfinished Conversation' reflected on Stuart Hall's life and ideas.
Key facts
- Seventh Liverpool Biennial held September 15 to November 25, 2012
- 279 artists from 72 countries exhibited across 27 venues
- Theme: 'The Unexpected Guest' exploring hospitality
- New artistic director Sally Tallant, formerly of Serpentine Gallery
- Cunard Building featured female artists critiquing inhospitable systems
- Doug Aitken's 'The Source' in a pavilion by David Adjaye
- John Akomfrah's 'The Unfinished Conversation' on Stuart Hall
Entities
Artists
- Mona Hatoum
- Nadia Kaabi-Linke
- Sylvie Blocher
- Pamela Rosenkranz
- Audrius Bučas
- Valdas Ozarinskas
- Elmgreen & Dragset
- Markus Kåhre
- Ming Wong
- Doug Aitken
- Mike Kelley
- Beck
- Tilda Swinton
- William Eggleston
- Jacques Herzog
- John Akomfrah
- Stuart Hall
- David Adjaye
- Sally Tallant
Institutions
- Liverpool Biennial
- Tate Liverpool
- Serpentine Gallery
- Cunard Building
Locations
- Liverpool
- United Kingdom
Sources
- artpress —