The previous edition of the Berlin Biennale, organized by artist and curator Artur Żmijewski, was devoted to the political effectiveness of art, and become the most discussed artistic event in the world in 2012. This year, the organizers have decided to focus on the local context and will talk about the city which hosts one of the most important contemporary art events. As a result, the prepared exhibitions, concerts, performances, screenings and meetings will take place not only in the main district of Mitte, where almost the entire artistic life of the city is focused, but also in remote areas of the city which are rarely visited by tourists. The aim of broadening Berlin's cultural map is to see how the 19th-century imperial city is perceived today, and what its place is on the contemporary cultural landscape.
(...) Paul Gilroy's concept shows that some historical accounts are created out of necessity (...). Object circulation across international routes, commercial interests and scientific exploration are defined as the multi-level result of the contemporary expansion of the Western world. The Biennale invites artists to research meetings during which they will examine history from the perspective of their current positions. - writes Juan A. Gaitán, curator of the 8th Biennial in Berlin.
More than 50 invited artists will present works that will shed new light on the history of Berlin, its architecture and its inhabitants. Goshka Macuga, a Polish artist who lives and works in London, will present the Preparatory Notes for the Chicago Comedy play. It is based on a drama written by the art historian Aby Warburg. The story of the struggle between the conservative and the progressive art scenes of the late 19th century will be transferred to modern times. The international Slavs and Tatars collective will attempt to separate the Turkish identity from the Islamic one in Ezan Çılgıŋŋŋŋŋları, devoted to the controversial revolution of the Turkish language.
Events will be held at the Biennale headquarters – the KunstWerke Institute for Contemporary Art, and in Crash Pad – a multifunctional interim space created on the model of 19th-century cultural and political salons and designed by a Greek artist and architect - Andreas Angelidakis. Haus am Waldsee and Museen Dahlem - National Museums in Berlin will also be open to visitors.
The 8th edition of Contemporary Art Biennale in Berlin
29.05 – 3.08.2014
Curator: Juan A. Gaitán
Artistic team: Tarek Atoui, Natasha Ginwala, Catalina Lozano, Mariana Munguía, Olaf Nicolai and Danh Vo
Sources: berlinbiennale.de, culture.pl, own materials, ed. Agnieszka Sural, 23.05.2014, translated: Katarzyna Maksimiuk, 26.05.2014