AHT 262T The Biennial: Signature Exhibition of a Global Art World?
There are few phenomena in the contemporary art world that have made a mark comparable to the proliferation of the international exhibitions aka "biennials." Pioneering the format in 1895, the Venice Biennale remained unique until the Sao Paulo Bienniel in 1951, Kassel Documenta in 1955, and the Whitney Biennial in 1973. Starting in the 1980s, biennials have not only disrupted the art market's traditional value chains; they have also been instrumental in pushing discussions on contemporary art and theory around concepts borrowed from the humanities, the social and political sciences, economics and urban studies. What is the role of biennials today within the greater context of the global art world and its markets? Has the format now become a homogenizing brand or does it still carry the potential to expose issues that traditionally escape museums and commercial galleries? The course investigates these and further questions and takes a close look at curatorial choices, decisions, and practices within the context of global biennials. The course addresses all aspects and approaches of the Art Histories, Ecologies, Industries major.