Sesc_Videobrasil's 21st edition becomes a biennial with 'Imagined Communities' theme
The 21st edition of Sesc_Videobrasil has transformed into the Sesc_Videobrasil Contemporary Art Biennial, marking a significant institutional shift. For the first time, the event adopted a guiding theme, 'Imagined Communities', inspired by Benedict Anderson's work, before the open call. This thematic framework united over 60 works by 50 selected artists and 5 invited artists, focusing on subtle treatments of often dramatic issues like destruction, racial prejudice, and social threats. The exhibition, curated by a jury commission, runs until February 2, 2020, at Sesc 24 de Maio in São Paulo. Artistic director Solange Farkas notes the biennial format positions the event within the international contemporary art circuit, distinct from the São Paulo and Mercosul biennials by focusing on artists and thinkers from Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. The show features diverse media, with video not being hegemonic; works incorporate painting, photography, and drawing. Highlights include Hrair Sarkissian's photographs of execution sites, Claudia Martínez Garay's installations on indigenous culture, Dana Awartani's critique of Hejazi architecture, and Teresa Margolles's denunciation of violence against transgender people. The event, now in its 36th year, has evolved from a video festival to a broader contemporary art exhibition.
Key facts
- The 21st Sesc_Videobrasil is now called the Sesc_Videobrasil Contemporary Art Biennial.
- The theme 'Imagined Communities' was announced before the open call, a first for the event.
- Over 60 works by 50 selected and 5 invited artists are on display.
- The exhibition runs until February 2, 2020, at Sesc 24 de Maio in São Paulo.
- Artistic director Solange Farkas emphasizes the event's focus on non-hegemonic regions.
- The show includes video, photography, painting, drawing, and installation.
- Notable artists include Hrair Sarkissian, Claudia Martínez Garay, Dana Awartani, and Teresa Margolles.
- The event marks 36 years of existence, evolving from a video festival to a biennial.
Entities
Artists
- Hrair Sarkissian
- Claudia Martínez Garay
- Dana Awartani
- André Griffo
- Tiécoura N’Daou
- Nidal Chamekh
- Teresa Margolles
- No Martins
- Solange Farkas
- Benedict Anderson
- Andrea Tonacci
- Olafur Eliasson
- Rosana Paulino
- Thierry Oussou
- Gabriel Bogossian
- Marilá Dardot
- Mônica Nador
- Jonathas de Andrade
- Luísa Duarte
- Miguel López
- Alia Farid
- Alyona Larionova
- Ana Elisa Egreja
- Ana Mazzei
- Ana Vaz
- Andrés Padilla Domene
- Bárbara Wagner
- Benjamin de Búrca
- Cristiano Lenhardt
- Daniel Monroy Cuevas
- Débora Mazloum
- Elizabeth Vásquez Arbulú
- Elvis Almeida
- Emo de Medeiros
- Engel Leonardo
- Felipe Esparza Pérez
- Filipa César
- Graziela Kunsch
- Haig Aivazian
- Hellen Ascoli
- Ícaro Lira
- Jaime Lauriano
- Jiwon Choi
- Karo Akpokiere
- Kavich Neang
- Köken Ergun
- La Decanatura
- Louise Botkay
- Mabe Bethônico
- Manuela de Laborde
- Mariana Portela Echeverri
- Mariana Rodríguez
- Miguel Penha
- Mona Vatamanu
- Florin Tudor
- Monira Al Qadiri
- Natasha Mendonca
- Pakui Hardware
- Pedro Barateiro
- Quy Minh Truong
- Rafael Pagatini
- Rodrigo Hernández
- Roy Dib
- Sammy Baloji
- Sasha Litvintseva
- Seydou Cissé
- Thando Mama
- Tatewaki Nio
- Thiago Martins de Melo
- Viktorija Rybakova
- Von Calhau!
- Ximena Garrido-Lecca
- Ana Pato
- Beatriz Lemos
- Diego Matos
- João Laia
Institutions
- Sesc_Videobrasil
- Sesc 24 de Maio
- Associação Videobrasil
- Alto Amazonas Audiovisual
- Museu Etnológico de Berlim
- Sesc_Videobrasil Contemporary Art Biennial
- Videobrasil Association
- Ethnological Museum in Berlin
- São Paulo Biennial
- Mercosur Biennial
- Sesc
- Videobrasil
- ARTE!Brasileiros
- Associação Cultural Videobrasil
- Movimento de Luta Nos Bairros, Vilas e Favelas
- Contemporary Art Festival Sesc_Videobrasil
Locations
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- England
- Syria
- Peru
- Berlin
- Germany
- Saudi Arabia
- Argentina
- Paraguay
- Mali
- Tunisia
- Mexico
- Africa
- Middle East
- Caribbean
- Centro
- Kuwait
- Puerto Rico
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- France
- Benin
- Dominican Republic
- Portugal
- Lebanon
- Guatemala
- South Korea
- United States
- Nigeria
- Cambodia
- Turkey
- Colombia
- Romania
- Senegal
- India
- Lithuania
- Vietnam
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Belgium
- South Africa
- Japan