Overview
Sharjah Biennial 12: The past, the present, the possible: (SB12) opens 5 March 2015 and will be on view through 5 June 2015. The premise of SB12 stems from a conversation between artist Danh Vo and curator Eungie Joo in early 2013, about the relevance of contemporary art and the potential of artistic positions to imagine something beyond current states of social and political confinement.
Beginning with Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual March Meeting in 2014, SB12 has engaged artists in a conversation about the place, the project, and each others’ practices. Though archaeological research confirms the presence of humans in this region over 125,000 years ago, Sharjah—as a city, an emirate and a member of a relatively young federation—is still in the process of imagining itself through education, culture, religion, heritage and science. SB12 invites over fifty artists and cultural practitioners to participate in this process by introducing their ideas of the possible through their art and work. Two-thirds of participating artists will present new works and commissions.
Programming for SB12 includes monthly lectures and workshops in various locations around Sharjah from September 2014 to February 2015. In addition, March Meeting 2015, SAF’s signature annual programme will take place May 11―15 2015 with distinct chapters organised by artists and cultural practitioners participating in SB12. March Meeting 2015 will once again feature an open call for correspondent travel grants, details forthcoming at sharjahart.org.
SB12 is curated by Eungie Joo with associate curator Ryan Inouye. Sharjah Biennial is organised by Sharjah Art Foundation, which brings a broad range of contemporary art and cultural programmes to the communities of Sharjah, the UAE and the region. Since 1993, Sharjah Biennial has commissioned, produced and presented large-scale public installations, performances and films, offering artists from the region and beyond an internationally-recognised platform for exhibition and experimentation.