São Paulo Bienal Postponed to 2021 Due to Pandemic, Shifts to Odd-Year Schedule
The 34th São Paulo Bienal has been rescheduled to take place from September 4 to December 5, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, following a prior one-month delay in March. José Olympio da Veiga Pereira, the president of the Fundação Bienal, highlighted installation risks and a halt in tourism as significant reasons for the postponement. The event will revert to being held in odd-numbered years, and the board's term has been extended until December 2021. The theme, 'Faz Escuro, Mas Eu Canto,' which addresses issues of resistance and confinement, will remain the same. The list of participating artists is expected to be revealed in March or April 2021. While most pre-Bienal events are canceled, there are plans for virtual discussions and a possible small exhibition. The pandemic has affected finances, but not drastically.
Key facts
- 34th São Paulo Bienal postponed to September 4 - December 5, 2021.
- Decision was unanimous by the institution's board due to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Concept 'Faz Escuro, Mas Eu Canto' and thematic lines remain.
- Calendar shifts to odd-numbered years, extending the board's mandate.
- Definitive artist list to be announced March/April 2021.
- Most pre-Bienal events canceled; virtual tools and online meetings planned.
- Financial impact noted, but institution has over 20 stable partners.
- Main obstacle is inability to rent the Pavilhão, a key revenue source.
Entities
Artists
- Jacopo Crivelli Visconti
- Ximena Garrido-Lecca
- Neo Muyanga
- José Olympio da Veiga Pereira
- Clara Ianni
- Deana Lawson
- León Ferrari
- Hélio Oiticica
- Paulo Miyada
- Maria Hirszman
Institutions
- Fundação Bienal de São Paulo
- Bienal de São Paulo
- Bienal de Veneza
- Fundação Bienal
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil