Manifesta 11 has unveiled further details about the upcoming exhibition this summer in Zurich, including an expanded artist list, and a series of collaborations between artists and other laborers, including a project between Maurizio Cattelan and a Paralympic athlete, or French author Michelle Houllebecq, who will treat visitors in to a health evaluation in conjunction with a trained physician. (more…)
Representatives of the European Biennial Manifesta have announced that the 2018 edition of the event will be held in Palermo, Italy, on the island of Sicily. “The City of Palermo was important for Manifesta’s selection board for its representation of two important themes that identify contemporary Europe: migration and climate changes and how these issues impact our cities,” the organizers said in a statement. (more…)
The Art Newspaper reports that the European art exhibition Manifesta is in the final stages of negotiations in securing the Italian city of Palermo as the location for its 2018 edition. The exhibition will aim to look at “how artistic practices and interventions can play a role in improving the social cohesion of this remarkable city,” says Manifesta director Hedwig Fijen. (more…)
Manifesto 10, Installation View, all photos courtesy of Manifesto 10
Despite a steady stream of critiques, criticism and outright protest over the current political climate in Russia, Manifesta 10, one of Europe’s leading contemporary art biennials, has pressed on. The exhibition, which opened late last month, has made much of its presence in Russia, presenting an exhibition that addresses its own political background while using it as a spring board to broader issues. (more…)
The opening of Manifesta 10 in St. Petersburg has offered many artists the platform for protesting Russia’s increasingly aggressive stance against LGBT citizens. The exhibition sees a number of works speaking candidly about sexuality, including Marlene Dumas’s gallery of gay men who made major contributions to world history. “This is probably the gayest show I have done,” Wolfgang Tillmans tells the Guardian. (more…)
Acknowledging a recent petition that the Manifesta 10 Biennial boycott Russia in light of its recent anti-LGBT laws, the organization has responded, refusing to abandon the festival location, and emphasizing the festival’s role examining contemporary Russian society. “We are conscious of the political climate and the significant conservative shift taking place in Russia, of which this issue is but one example. It is also helpful to know that the leading LGBT organizations in Russia do not support a boycott of the Olympics or other events. They know engagement is important.” Said Viktor Misiano, Chair of the Manifesta Foundation. (more…)
Europe’s Manifesta Art Biennial has named the Berlin-based Kasper Konig as its curator for next year’s edition of the fair, which opens next June in St. Petersburg. Konig’s active role in defending artistic statements in the face of conservative criticism in Germany will make for an interesting counterpoint to Russia’s current political climate, where Putin has just passed the Homosexuality Propaganda law. “Contemporary art and exhibits from the State Hermitage should dance side by side.” Konig said in a statement. (more…)
Looking forward to 2016, the Manifesta Arts Festival has announced the location of its 11th edition, taking place in the Swiss city of Zurich. “The Manifesta board appreciated the openness expressed in the Zurich Bid and the willingness to invite Manifesta to take a critical position. With full awareness that initiating a Manifesta Biennial involves unpredictable outcomes Zurich embraces the critical discourse including the opportunities and risks that it entails. That is why we are thrilled to be going to Zurich for Manifesta 11.” Says Manifesta Director Hedwig Fijen. (more…)
