LU Pei-yi

The proliferation of biennials and other forms of recurring international exhibitions has been a key feature of the contemporary art world, engendering a global network for the production and dissemination of art. From its origins in the world’s fairs and expos to the Venice biennale, documenta and the various biennales and triennials in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, the global biennial has emerged as key medium, platform and context by which art becomes known. This course introduces students to the history and significance of global biennials, with particular attention to contemporary art biennials in the Asia-Pacific region.

Indicative references :

• Bruce Altshuler (ed.), Salon to Biennial-Exhibitions That Made Art History, Volume I: 1863-1959, London: Phaidon Press, 2008
• Bruce Altshuler (ed.), Biennials and Beyond-Exhibitions That Made Art History (1962-2002) London: Phaidon Press, 2013
• Anthony Gardner & Charles Green, Biennials, Triennials, and Documenta: The Exhibitions that Created Contemporary Art, Wiley-Blackwell, 2016
• Solveig Øvstebo(ed.), The Biennial Reader, Norway: Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2010
• Ute Meta Baucer and Hou Hanru (eds.), Shifting Gravity: World Biennial Forum N.1, The Gwangju Biennial Foundation, 2012.
• Biennial Foundation
  http://www.biennialfoundation.org/