Third edition of the Bahia Biennial after 46 years

After 46 years, the Brazilian state of Bahia is preparing for its third biennial, to be held for 100 days starting on May 29, 2014 in 19 cultural centers in Salvador and 10 other municipalities. The question of its title, Is it all the Northeast? inspires the curatorial project and the central concept traversing all the actions, exhibitions, projects, and meetings for this third edition of the event. This Biennial implies an approach to the region's artistic and cultural production, from a variety of perspectives: The Northeast as a geographic condition, a historical construction, and an important element in the nation's imagination. The final roster of participating artists will be made public in the near future; it already includes around 270 names, between Brazilian and foreign artists.

The first two editions of the Bahia Biennial were held in 1966 and 1968, respectively. The first edition, titled the first National Visual Arts Biennial, opened to the public in December, 1966, at Convento do Carmo, and had wide repercussions across the country. Sponsored by the government of the state of Bahia and local artists like Juárez Paraíso (1934), Chico Liberato (1936) and Riolan (1932-1994), the Bahia Biennial highlighted the importance of decentralization for artistic activity in the country, focusing on the production of Bahia and the Northeast. Award winner in this edition were Lygia Clark (1920-1988), Rubens Gerchman (1942 - 2008), Hélio Oiticica (1937-1980), and Rubem Valentim (1922-1991), names that reveal a commitment with an array of artistic tendencies of the time. The second edition of the Biennial, which opened in December, 1966 at the Lapa convent, was closed by the country's military dictatorship two days after its inauguration, to reopen a month later minus 10 works that were considered "subversive" by the regime.

Albino Rubim, Secretary of Culture of the State of Bahia, emphasizes the importance and visibility of the event, which will coincide with the World Cup. "There will only be one visual arts biennial, because we have a sustained dialog with the culture of Bahia, of Brazil, and of the world. The idea is for that culture to gain greater recognition. We also want to redeem the previous editions, 1966 and 1968. Symbolically, it is of great importance that this be the Third edition, not the first Bahia Biennial. Nothing is more just than to remember its history."

For more information, visit http://bahiamam.org/conheca-o-projeto-da-3a-bienal-de-arte-da-bahia/

Source: Mapa das Artes and Secretaria Cultura Bahia