Marco Scotini on Curating the First Anren Biennale in Sichuan

Marco Scotini, the only non-Chinese curator of the inaugural Anren Biennale, discusses his section 'The Szechwan Tale: Theatre and History' and the biennale's context in Sichuan. The biennale, titled 'Today's Yesterday' and directed by Lu Peng, runs from October 28, 2017 to February 28, 2018 at the Ning Liang Old Factory in Anren. Scotini's section draws on Bertolt Brecht's 'The Good Person of Szechwan' and the 1964 sculptural work 'Rent Collection Courtyard', exploring East-West projections. He contrasts the tropical, Buddhist atmosphere of Sichuan with the desert, Islamic setting of Yinchuan, where he will direct the second Yinchuan Biennale in June 2018. Scotini reflects on censorship, having faced it in China, Turkey, and the West, and criticizes the use of art as a 'good showcase' by states. He also comments on Ai Weiwei's wealth and fame in the West versus the constraints on other Chinese dissidents. The biennale features over 120 artists, with sections curated by Lan Qingwei/Du Xiyun, Liu Ding & Carol Lu Yinghua, and Liu Je & Lu Jing.