Preview of The 18th Biennale Of Sydney: Opens Tomorrow

The Biennale of Sydney plays a central role in the visual arts in Australia and connecting artists from around the world. The 18th Biennale of Sydney opens to the public tomorrow, unveiling the work of more than 100 artists from over 44 countries. With the curatorial premise All Our Relations, the Biennale provides a collaborative framework that allows conversations to extend to both artists and audiences. The collaboration between Artistic Directors Catherine de Zegher and Gerald McMaster is the first time in the Biennale’s 39 year history that an exhibition has been developed by a curatorial duo. In Aesthetica’s April/May issue we spoke to Gerald McMaster about his part in the Biennale‘s curation.

Exploring new ideas from unexpected voices around the world, the 18th Biennale of Sydney showcases more than 220 works by over 100 artists hailing from Australia, New Zealand, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. Nearly half the artists have created works specifically for this exhibition, including many substantial collaborative installations.

Major venues for the 18th Biennale of Sydney are the Art Gallery of New South Wales; the newly redeveloped Museum of Contemporary Art Australia; World Heritage-listed former shipyard and prison, Cockatoo Island; and Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay. For the first time, Redfern-based arts institution Carriageworks is a presenting partner.

The 18th Biennale of Sydney, 27/06/2012 until 16/09/2012. Various locations, Sydney, Australia. Visit bos18.com.

Credits:
1.Tiffany Singh Knock On The Sky Listen To The Sound, 2012
bamboo wind chimes and mixed media
Dimensions variable
Installation view of the 18th Biennale of Sydney (2012) at Pier 2/3
Courtesy the artist

2. Tiffany Singh Knock On The Sky Listen To The Sound, 2011 (detail)
bamboo wind chimes
Dimensions variable
Courtesy the artist and The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt
Photograph: Tom Teutenberg

3. Jess MacNeil The Shape of Between, 2006
still from high definition digital video with sound, 12:58 mins
Courtesy the artist and Gallery Barry Keldoulis, Sydney
Sound: Marcus Kaiser

4. Robin Rhode Arm Chair, 2011
Single channel digital animation, 1:20 mins
Courtesy the artist and White Cube, London

5. Guido van der Werve, Nummer Acht: Everything is going to be alright, 2007
Video, 10:10 mins
Dimensions variable
Photograph: Ben Geraerts
Courtesy the artist and Luhring Augustine, New York