Largest-Ever Gwangju Biennale Pavilion Marks Gwangju Biennale’s 30th Anniversary

Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall. Image courtesy of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation

15th Gwangju Biennale
PANSORI ― a soundscape of the 21st century
September 7, 2024 – December 1, 2024
gwangjubiennale.org

The Gwangju Biennale Foundation is pleased to announce the 15th edition of the Gwangju Biennale next year will feature the largest-ever Gwangju Biennale Pavilion since its initiation in 2018. Additionally, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the Gwangju Biennale’s inception, a significant milestone celebrating three decades of artistic excellence and cultural exchange. Coinciding with this anniversary, the Gwangju Biennale Pavilion will present a diverse array of artworks from around the world, facilitated by premier cultural institutions.

Next year’s Gwangju Biennale Pavilion takes place across Gwangju Metropolitan City, expecting participation from approximately thirty countries, featuring a broad spectrum of international participants. Countries from Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have confirmed their involvement, reaffirming Gwangju’s position as Asia’s cultural hub city.

Additionally, a wide range of nations from other regions, including Argentina, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Qatar, and Sweden, are also participating, with further participants in discussion.

Key cultural institutions such as Phileas, the National Museum of Qatar, PLATFORM Munich, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Seoul, and the Adam Michiewicz Institute are facilitating the exhibitions.

Among the participants, Austria recently announced the results of its open call for artists and curators for its pavilion. It will be curated by Fiona Liewehr, featuring Austrian-based sculptor Liesl Raff, with the performance program and production overseen by Carolina Nöbauer and Florian Mayr respectively.

The return of 2023 Gwangju Biennale Pavilion participants, Canada, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands, along with first-time participation by countries from South America, the Middle East, and Europe, adds to the Gwangju Biennale Pavilion’s international appeal.

The high interest from Asian countries reaffirms the Gwangju Biennale’s status as one of Asia’s largest and most notable art events.

Participating ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members will present unique contemporary art from the region at the Asia Culture Center and nearby venues. Conferences and forums in connection with the ASEAN pavilion are also being planned. With their involvement, the Foundation hopes to expand the network and cooperative structures among Southeast Asian nations, establishing a platform for cultural exchange that extends beyond the exhibition period.

The Gwangju Biennale Pavilion is set to unfold in various city locations, including Yanglim-dong and Dongmyeong-dong. The Foundation is currently acting as a liaison, connecting international cultural institutions with institutions based in Gwangju. Additionally, the Gwangju Pavilion, a new initiative, will delve into the city’s art history with a specific focus on presenting local artists.

Park Yang-woo, President of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, stated, “The Gwangju Biennale Pavilion, first launched in 2018, quickly established itself as a platform for cultural exchange, showcasing artists and artworks from leading international cultural institutions. We believe it will significantly contribute to establishing Gwangju in the center of the art world.” Furthermore, he expressed, “Celebrating our 30th anniversary, we look forward to providing valuable opportunities for local residents and visitors to engage in diverse cultural expressions and artistic dialogues based in Gwangju and from around the world.”