Friday

Optimism in the Age of Global War

Art biennials are becoming an important fixture in the global art arena and seem to be sprouting up in the most unlikely corners of the world. Before this phenomenon began, there were three key biennials: Venice (founded 1895), Sao Paulo (founded 1951) and Istanbul (in 1973).

The Istanbul Biennial, which is equal in stature to the Venice and Sao Paulo Biennials ends November 4, 2007. This year’s 10^th installment is organized by the internationally acclaimed curator Hou Hanru, who is the current Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs at the San Francisco Art Institute.

His timely theme for the biennial is: Not only possible, but also necessary: Optimism in the Age of Global War, it takes a look at how globalization is changing modernity and features artists who work in developing areas of the world.
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