Just a year before the opening, the Sydney Biennale has identified the first group of artists, collectives, and organizations to participate in its upcoming 23rd edition, which will run from March 12 to June 13, 2022.
They have also announced the title of this major international contemporary art event: rīvus. The title “rīvus” in Latin means a stream. And this means that the concept of waterways and river tributaries will be used as a starting point.
Close attention will be paid to the recognition of the history of the indigenous peoples of the site of the Biennale of Sydney. The main venues are located along the banks of the waterways of the peoples of Gadigala and Burramattagala.
The 2022 Biennale of Sydney will be articulated through a series of conceptual wetlands and imagined ecosystems populated by artworks, public programs, experiments, research, and activisms, following the currents of meandering tributaries that expand into a delta of interrelated ideas.
For this edition of the Biennale of Sydney, artistic director Jose Roca and his curatorial team have so far invited 59 artists, collectives, and non-profit organizations from 33 countries.
All those invited to take part in the 23rd Biennale will be called “participants”, not “artists”. This reflects their diverse talents, skills, practices, and lifestyles that go beyond the visual arts. The announced participants live and work across 33 countries on six continents including:
- Cameroon;
- Cuba;
- Venezuela;
- Slovenia;
- Taiwan;
- Tonga;
- the Netherlands.
Among the most famous artists who will present their work, there are:
- Gera Buyuktashyan;
- Ioan Capote;
- Carolina Caicedo;
- Margarita Yumo, Caio Reisewitz;
- Duke Riley;
- Abel Rodriguez;
- Kiki Smith;
- Barthelemy Toguo.
The Biennale of Sydney will also include participants who act as collective organizations supporting artists such as:
- A4C Arts for the Commons;
- Casino Wake Up Time;
- the New Landscapes Institute;
- the North Sea Embassy, which stands for all living organisms – from plants and people to animals and microbes – in the North Sea.
Venues for the 23rd Sydney Biennale will be announced later this year. It is known for the first time among them will be Cutaway, a cultural site located in the Barangaroo Game Reserve in the magnificent Sydney Harbor.
In a panel discussion that was hosted by indigenous journalist Rachel Hawking, the Curatorium spoke of waterways as dynamic living systems with varying degrees of political engagement.
The Curatorium said that in indigenous knowledge, non-human beings have long been understood as living ancestors with a right to life. And this right must be protected. But only recently, some plants, mountains, and water bodies have received the status of a legal entity. If we find out that the river has a voice, what can it say?
The Biennale of Sydney titled rīvus will allow aquatic creatures – rivers, wetlands, and other salt and freshwater ecosystems – to engage in dialogue with artists, architects, designers, scientists, and communities.
Considering an aquatic ecology perspective raises unlikely questions: can a river suck for psychoactive wastewater? Will oysters grow teeth in water revenge? What does acne think? Waves – the desire of the ocean?
Barbara Moore, CEO of the Sydney Biennale, said admission to the Sydney Biennale is free for everyone, with an open invitation to experience the most innovative contemporary art and ideas from around the world in some of Sydney’s most beautiful locations. awesome and accessible public spaces.
This edition of the Biennale of Sydney will be devoted to the connections and ruptures of a person with water and, as a result, with each other. It will be a wonderful experience.
The first 59 participants of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney (2022) are:
- A4C Arts for the Commons (Ecuador/Italy);
- Ackroyd & Harvey (England);
- Robert Andrew (Yawuru, Australia);
- Ana Barboza and Rafael Freyre (Peru);
- Badger Bates (Barkindji, Australia);
- Milton Becerra (Venezuela/France);
- Cave Urban (Australia);
- Hera Büyüktaşcıyan (Turkey);
- Tania Candiani (Mexico);
- Yoan Capote (Cuba);
- Casino Wake Up Time (Bundjalung, Kamilaroi, Australia);
- Carolina Caycedo (Colombia/USA);
- Alex Cerveny (Brazil);
- Erin Coates (Australia);
- Cian Dayrit (Philippines);
- Melissa Dubbin & Aaron S. Davidson (USA);
- Matias Duville (Argentina);
- Clemencia Echeverri (Colombia);
- Embassy of the North Sea (the North Sea/The Netherlands);
- Juliana Góngora Rojas (Colombia);
- Julie Gough (Trawlwoolway, Australia);
- Senior Craftsman Rex Greeno and son Dean Greeno (Palawa, Australia);
- David Haines & Joyce Hinterding (Australia/England);
- Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe (Yanomami, Venezuela);
- Dale Harding (Bidjara/Ghungalu/Garingbal, Australia);
- Joey Holder (England);
- Marguerite Humeau (France);
- Aluaiy Kaumakan (Paiwan Nation, Paridrayan Community, Taiwan);
- Pushpa Kumari (India);
- Eva L’Hoest (Belgium);
- Mata Aho Collective (Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Pūkeko, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungungu ki Wairarapa, Aotearoa New Zealand);
- Clare Milledge (Australia);
- Yuko Mohri (Japan);
- Moogahlin Performing Arts with Aanmitaagzi Big Medicine Studio (Murrawarri, Biripi, Australia; Ojibway/Mohawk, Mi’kmaq, Turtle Island, Canada);
- New Landscapes Institute (Australia);
- New-Territories_S/he_f.Roche (France);
- Leeroy New (Philippines);
- Wura-Natasha Ogunji (Nigeria/USA);
- Mike Parr (Australia);
- Marjetica Potrč (Slovenia);
- Caio Reisewitz (Brazil);
- Tabita Rezaire (France/French Guiana);
- Duke Riley (USA);
- Abel Rodríguez (Mogaje Guihu) (Nonuya, Colombia);
- Teho Ropeyarn (Angkamuthi/Yadhaykana, Australia);
- Diana Scherer (Germany/The Netherlands);
- Dineo Seshee Bopape (South Africa);
- Komunidad X Sipat Lawin (Philippines);
- Kiki Smith (USA);
- Paula de Solminihac (Chile);
- STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) and Jiva Parthipan (Australia);
- Jenna Sutela (Finland/Germany);
- Imhathai Suwatthanasilp (Thailand) / Leanne Tobin (Dharug, Australia);
- Barthélémy Toguo (Cameroon/France);
- Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi (Tonga/Aotearoa New Zealand);
- Hanna Tuulikki (England/Scotland/Finland);
- Gal Weinstein (Israel);
- Zheng Bo (Bai, China).
The team of curators – Curatorium – designs and implements the 2022 trade show and represents the main partners of the Sydney Show:
- José Roca, Artistic Director, 23rd Biennale of Sydney;
- Paschal Daantos Berry, Head of Learning and Participation, Art Gallery of New South Wales;
- Anna Davis, Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia;
- Hannah Donnelly, Producer, First Nations Programs, Information + Cultural Exchange (I.C.E.);
- Talia Linz, Curator, Artspace.
The 23rd Biennale will be presented to the public free of charge. The event will be held from 12 March to 13 June 2022. The Sydney Biennale is a leading international contemporary art event not to be missed.
The Biennale plays an irreplaceable role in Australia’s interaction with the world and a significant role in the life of the nation. For almost 50 years, the Biennale of Sydney has been a unifying force in the Australian art sector. It has been bringing bold creative art exhibitions and experiences to Sydney’s daily life and putting Australia’s artistic excellence at the center of the global arena.
The Sydney Biennale has commissioned and presented exceptional works of art from over 1,900 national and international artists from over 130 countries. The Sydney Biennale provides free access for everyone.
