In collaboration with Latvian Academy of Arts, Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art (RIBOCA) continues series of events of the Public Program and is pleased to announce keynote presentation “Biennial: what’s in a word?” by 1st Riga Biennial chief curator Katerina Gregos. The lecture will be held at Art Academy of Latvia on March 29th, 6:30 pm. The event is for free and will happen in English.
The definition of the word biennial is nothing more than a technical one. According to any dictionary one searches, it simply means an event or exhibition lasting for two years or occurring every two years. In itself, that does not say much. So, one could argue, a biennial is what one makes it. There are different ways of putting together a biennial. Some make more sense than others. As part of the proliferation of globalized cultural consumption and production, city tourism and marketing aspirations, what has become clear is that the one-size-fits-all model: the generic, inter- changeable ‘internationalist’ biennial – that is, the one that combines the right strategic mix of the ‘global’ and ‘local’, star names and the new ‘upcoming talent’ – which one often sees again in the next biennial – seems to make less and less sense. To begin with, there has to be a clear reason why Biennials happen and a concrete idea of whom they try to serve. Biennials that originate in a deep cultural, social and political need are the ones that will make a difference.
How does one take into consideration the multiple factors, questions and sometimes conflicting interests that the organization of a biennial poses? What are the most important questions to consider when putting together a biennial?
Katerina Gregos, the chief curator of the 1st Riga Biennial, who was also instrumental in setting up its structure, will talk about the different ways in which biennials are made and why. Based on several case studies of biennials she has curated, she will demonstrate that each biennial is different and has to be treated as such. She will, on this occasion, also present her ideas behind the 1st Riga Biennial.
Katerina Gregos is a curator, writer and lecturer. Originally from Greece she has been based in Brussels since 2006. Over the last 15 years her curatorial practice has consistently explored the relationship between art, society and politics with a particular view on questions of democracy, human rights, capitalism, economy, crisis and changing global production circuits.
The public program of RIBOCA is curated by Kolektīvs – Zane Zajančkauska (curator) and Ilze Kalnbērziņa Praz (designer), based in Riga.
