International Bucharest Biennial for Contemporary Art will take place September 19 – October 06, 2024, under a new direction.
In a groundbreaking move, BUCHAREST BIENNALE was successfully acquired by a new organisation. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in the contemporary art landscape.
The board of directors of the newly formed organisation appointed Daniel Roșca, a Romanian cultural manager and artist, as director of the Bucharest Biennale 11. Eugen Rădescu, the former director, will take the position of director-at-large, member of the board of directors of the entire organisation and remain the co-founder of Bucharest Biennale.
The Bucharest Biennale founded 20 years ago, has long been celebrated for its commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and showcasing diverse perspectives. With this acquisition, BB11 aims to foster cross-cultural dialogue, amplify artistic innovation, and elevate the biennial experience to new heights supporting underserved communities of artists including queer community, minorities and emerging artists. BB was the first biennial in history to use an AI curator in 2021.
“I am thrilled to be at the helm of Bucharest Biennale, building upon the significant achievements to date and exploring innovative approaches to uphold the same level of excellence and introduce fresh perspectives in the realm of art.”, said Daniel Roșca, the director of Bucharest Biennale. Daniel Roșca is a cultural manager, artist and climate change activist. His artworks have been exhibited in Bucharest, Kiel, Ulft, Geneva, Copenhagen and Paris, among others. Since 2017, he has been a founding member of the Grund, an organisation promoting emerging Romanian artists, facilitating artistic and philosophical education, and larger exposure for emerging artists.
BUCHAREST BIENNALE 11 will unfold under the theme “Democracy’s Uncharted Territories.” The curatorial approach is anchored in the principle of participatory democracy, accentuating the engagement of citizens in decision-making processes (Smith, 2009). This conceptual framework contests the conventional role of the curator as the singular arbiter of artistic significance, advocating for a more encompassing and cooperative milieu. Additionally, it will serve as a critical commentary on the misuse of democratic rhetoric solely for vested interests by Romanian cultural actors.
In BB11, the designation of a curator will be eschewed. Rather, the entire BB11 team will function as the selection committee and curatorial collective. Participating artists will be chosen through an open call process, adhering to a first-application-first-selected approach. The open call will be disseminated in the forthcoming weeks.
