Rīvus
The Biennale of Sydney has announced that its 23rd iteration will be titled rīvus, which means ‘stream’ in Latin. The concept engages thought, dialogue and questions relating to the agency of aqueous beings such as rivers, wetlands and other salt and freshwater ecosystems. This will be extrapolated and articulated through a series of conceptual wetlands and imagined ecosystems populated by artworks, public programs, experiments, research and activisms, following the currents of meandering tributaries that expand into a delta of interrelated ideas. The Artistic Director of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, José Roca, has been instrumental in rethinking the relational structure behind its development – rather than rely on a singular vision, Roca has engaged a team of five, including himself, known as The Curatorium, who are together responsible for developing and realising the Biennale’s 23rd iteration. Furthermore, those invited to take part in the Biennale will be known as ‘participants’ rather than ‘artists’, to better reflect their diverse talents, skills, practices and modes of being which extend beyond the realm of the visual arts. Although all participants and locations are yet to be announced, the sensitive and resonant structural decisions reflect the diverse voices, people, materials and cultures that are set to be engaged.
NOTE: The dates provided are current and speculative. Many Australian and international arts organisations remain closed in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions. Please refer to institutional websites for further details.
