18 Jun 2009

28th Biennial of Graphic Arts in Ljubljana

The 28th Biennial of Graphic Arts is a multifaceted event with a long tradition; it consists of a number of exhibitions as well as other happenings. Once again, the Biennial's central exhibition, The Matrix: An Unstable Reality, on view for two months in Ljubljana galleries, will focus on contemporary graphic art in the broadest sense of the term. At the invitation of the International Centre of Graphic Arts, which proposed the theme of the main show, this idea was further developed and shaped by Galerija Alkatraz, Galerija Ganes Pratt, Galerija Jakopič, Galerija Kapsula, and Galerija Škuc, which are also serving as venues for the Biennial. Alongside the central exhibition, the 28th Biennial of Graphic Arts includes as well the Artist's Book Salon, the traditional exhibition for the winner of the Grand Prize from the previous Biennial, and a number of accompanying exhibitions.

The Matrix: An Unstable Reality

The exhibition responds to certain vital questions for society and art raised by the cult movie trilogy The Matrix. Does a medium stay the same once it incorporates new technologies in its discourse? Does this increase the audience for art? What is the social power of those who possess the matrix? Is the possession of the matrix enough to also justify exclusive reproduction rights? Can we create a perfect world, whether real or virtual?

The exhibition offers a selection of more than eighty internationally established and emerging artists. Their work extends from traditional and contemporary printmaking to artist's books and interventions in the public space, in the mass media, and on computers.

art director: Božidar Zrinski
curators: Gülsen Bal & Alenka Gregorič, Petja Grafenauer, Jadranka Ljubičič and Tadej Pogačar

venues: International Centre of Graphic Arts, Gallery Alkatraz, Gallery Ganes Pratt, Gallery Jakopič – MGML, Gallery Kapsula, Gallery Škuc

Artist's Book Salon

Artist's books are an increasingly visible form of expression in the art world both in Slovenia and elsewhere. The Biennial of Graphic Arts will spotlight this medium with a special event: the Artist's Book Salon, at which we will present an international selection of artist's books produced by independent publishers and individual contemporary artists. The event will include a series of talks and a book fair, at which publishers will be selling their wares. The Salon will be a space for socializing and for exchanging ideas and views about the making of artist's books.

5–6 September, International Centre of Graphic Arts
co-ordinator: Breda Škrjanec

After Gogo: A New Era of Korean Art

Based on a proposal by Jeon Joon-ho, the winner of the Grand Prize of the 2007 Biennial, the exhibition presents the 'post-gogo' generation of South Korean artists. Their work re-examines various issues in contemporary Korean society – a society divided between North and South in which the Cold War is still very much alive. These artists were born in the 1960s, when their parents were working hard to rebuild the country after the Korean War. They grew up in the 1970s, when American soldiers brought 'gogo' music to Korea and the country was inundated with mass dance parties in 'gogo clubs' (also known as 'chicken coops') and gogo became a synonym for the pleasure culture of the younger generation. They began making art in the 1980s. What especially distinguishes them from the previous generation is the fact that they are well aware of the world outside the chicken coop.

artists: Kim Kira, Jang Minseung & Kim Check, Jeon Joonho, Lee Yongbaek, MOON Kyungwon, Lee Sea Hyun, Moon Hyungmin, Ligyung

curator: Kim Jyeong-Yeon
venue: Cankarjev dom Gallery


Accompanying exhibitions:

Impressions
Jakopičeva promenada, Tivoli, 4 September–29 November 2009
Pionirski dom – Art Center, 8 September–29 November 2009

Motivation, Creativity and Innovation in Prints by Children and Youth
International Centre of Graphic Arts, 13–17 October 2009

Greetings from Cartoonia
Slovene Ethnographic Museum 22 October–29 November 2009


Producer. International Centre of Graphic Arts

Co-producers: Cankarjev dom, Culture and Congress Centre, Gallery Alkatraz, Gallery Ganes Pratt, Gallery Jakopič – MGML, Gallery Kapsula, Gallery Škuc, Pionirski dom – Art center, Stripburger/Forum Ljubljana, The National Education Institute


Sponsors: Gorenje, Hyundai Avto Trade, d.o.o Ljubljana, Mercator, d. d. Petrol, Slovenian Energy Company, d.d., Vileda
Media sponsors: Europlakat, d.o.o.; Radio Center, d.o.o.
Supported by: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, City of Ljubljana, Culture Programme (2007-2013), Austrian Culture Forum of the Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Ljubljana, Italian Culture Centre in Ljubljana, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey,Embassy of the United States of America