Medellín Biennale Returns After 44-Year Hiatus with New Decentralized Model
The Biennale Internazionale di Arte di Antioquia e Medellín made a significant return from October 2 to November 25, 2025, after being absent for 44 years, with Lucrecia Piedrahita Orrego at the helm as curator. This event took a unique approach by taking place in various venues like museums, universities, creative neighborhoods, and churches, making use of industrial buildings, historical sites, and public spaces. It drew in over 400,000 visitors and involved more than 2,000 educational projects, with students from ten universities helping out. Notable works included Ibrahim Mahama's installation at the Ferrocarril de Antioquia, Jorge Julián Aristizabal's 25,000 ceramic spheres, and Pedro Reyes's 'Against the Bomb.' Most artists showcased their work in the old Coltabaco building, which spans 18,000 square meters. Piedrahita Orrego aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the territory rather than just utilizing it, encouraging discussions on contemporary issues.
Key facts
- BIAM returned after 44 years, from October 2 to November 25, 2025
- Curated by Lucrecia Piedrahita Orrego
- Decentralized across museums, universities, creative districts, and churches
- Over 400,000 visitors in two months
- Over 2,000 educational projects involving ten universities
- Ibrahim Mahama created an intervention at the former Ferrocarril de Antioquia building
- Jorge Julián Aristizabal installed 25,000 ceramic spheres
- Carolina Borrero used onion skins and aloe vera for an architectural piece
- Azuma Makoto covered a baroque-colonial church facade with 2,500 bromeliads
- Delcy Morelos created a spiritual earth pavilion
- Pedro Reyes presented 'Against the Bomb'
- María Elvira Escallón transformed dust and rubble into a memorial with the phrase 'Polvere sei'
- Clemencia Echeverri showed a multichannel installation with demobilized combatants
- Former Coltabaco (Philip Morris) building housed 75% of artists across 18,000 sqm
Entities
Artists
- Lucrecia Piedrahita Orrego
- Ibrahim Mahama
- Jorge Julián Aristizabal
- Carolina Borrero
- Azuma Makoto
- Delcy Morelos
- Pedro Reyes
- María Elvira Escallón
- Clemencia Echeverri
Institutions
- BIAM – Biennale Internazionale di Arte di Antioquia e Medellín
- Ferrocarril de Antioquia
- Coltabaco
- Philip Morris
- Artribune
Locations
- Medellín
- Antioquia
- Colombia