Universes in Universe

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22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil

18 October 2023 - 25 February 2024
São Paulo, Brazil

Title: Memory is an editing station | 40-Year Special
See the curatorial text
The event marks Videobrasil’s 40th anniversary

Artistic Director: Solange Farkas

Curators: Raphael Fonseca and Renée Akitelek Mboya

60 participants from 38 countries

Public programs

Organizers | Contacts


Memory is an editing station | 40-Year Special

Four decades after the first Videobrasil festival was held, in the final years of the civil-military dictatorship that ravaged Brazil, the 22nd Sesc_Videobrasil Biennial - 40-Year Special will be held at Sesc 24 de Maio, in São Paulo, from October 18, 2023 to February 25, 2024. Under the title "Memory is an island of editing", the exhibition dialogues with the event's long history, while reflecting the world's present moment and pointing to future paths, through works by 60 artists from the Global South.

Artistically directed by Solange Oliveira Farkas and curated by Brazilian Raphael Fonseca and Kenyan Renée Akitelek Mboya, the edition is the result of a partnership between Sesc SP and Associação Cultural Videobrasil. Based on a verse by poet Waly Salomão (1943-2003), the curatorial section presents different visions and ways of dealing with memory - and forgetting - whether individual or collective, linked to varied social, political and cultural contexts. The various ideas of memory that emerge at the Biennale vary not only according to the generation of the participating artists, but also their geographical origin and the media and supports they use - such as video, installation, photography, performance and textiles.

Andro Eradze (Georgia): Raised in the Dust, 2022
© Photo: Courtesy of Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil

The Global South that emerges in this edition, with artists from 38 countries in Africa, the Americas (South, Central and North), Asia, Europe (East and Portugal), the Middle East and Oceania - including representatives of indigenous peoples - also reflects the post-pandemic global context. With significant space for audiovisual languages, based on the perception of the central role that video plays in contemporary life, the edition traces a direct dialog with the beginnings of Videobrasil. Thus, it celebrates its four decades with the parallel 40-Year Special exhibition, on the 4th floor of Sesc 24 de Maio, which covers the entire history of the event and its transformations over time.

More than just a big event, the 22nd Sesc_Videobrasil Biennial is a platform for generating knowledge and creating networks in marginalized territories on the world arts map. To this end, a series of public programs will be held throughout the event. Sesc_Videobrasil invites everyone interested to visit Sesc 24 de Maio, follow the activities and browse the Biennial's website and social networks, which will be constantly updated.

The Artistic Director talks about the 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil
(on the Youtube channel of the Biennial)

Curator Raphael Fonseca comments on the 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil
(on the Youtube channel of the Biennial)

Public programs

The 22nd Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil will promote a series of public programs, organized by Renée Mboya to stimulate experiences, exchange ideas and generate content, with all activities free and open to the public. Among the guests at the opening week are Ali Cherri, who is showing the film "DAM" for the first time in Brazil; Doplgenger, Kent Chan and Thi My Lien Nguyen, who are giving performances; a series of artists participating in the Biennale such as Antonio Pichilla Quiacain, Eduardo Montelli, Guadalupe Rosales, Leila Danziger, Maksaens Denis, Natalia Lassalle-Morillo, Froiid, Pamela Cevallos, Tirzo Martha, Vitória Cribb, Youqine Lefèvre, Zé Carlos Garcia; mediators Paula Nascimento, Siddarthha Perez, Siddartha Mitter and Ying Kwok; and special guests such as Anna Bella Geiger and Vivian Ostrovsky. The full schedule with dates and times of the public programs will soon be available on the Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil website.

Iwantja Arts (Australia): Elizabeth and Vincent, 2021
© Photo: Courtesy of Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil


About the Organizers

ASSOCIAÇÃO CULTURAL VIDEOBRASIL

Founded by Solange Farkas in 1991, Associação Cultural Videobrasil is the result of the desire to institutionally host the growing collection of works and publications gathered since the first Festival Videobrasil, held in 1983. Since then, the association has been working systematically to activate its collection, which brings together pieces from the Global South, video art classics, in-house works and a vast collection of publications on art. In addition to the Sesc_Videobrasil Biennial, the Association also carries out important activities of research, diffusion and mapping concerning its collection: national and international exhibitions; touring shows; publications; TV programs; documentaries; seminars; workshops and meetings with artists and researchers; and artistic residency programs, in connection with a worldwide collaborative network.

SESC – SOCIAL SERVICE OF COMMERCE

With 75 years of experience, Sesc – Social Service of Commerce has a network of 45 operational units in the state of São Paulo and develops activities aimed at promoting well-being and quality of life for workers in the fields of commerce, services, tourism, as well as for a wider audience. Maintained by business owners from these sectors, Sesc is a private entity that promotes a wide range of activities that includes sports, environment, health, dentistry, social tourism, arts, food and food security, inclusion, diversity and citizenship. The initiatives by the institution are based on a cultural and educational perspective for all age groups and aimed at contributing to lasting, meaningful experiences. Per year, around 30 million people are served at Sesc’s centers situated in the state of São Paulo. Today, around 50 national and international organizations in the fields of arts, sports, culture, health, environment, tourism, social services and human rights have representatives from Sesc São Paulo in their advisory and deliberative bodies. For more information, click here.


Organizer, contacts:

Associação Cultural Videobrasil
R. Jaguaré Mirim 210 - Vila Leopoldina
05311-020 São Paulo - SP, Brazil
Tel.: +55 (11) 3645-0516
Website | Email

Networks:
Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok


Press contacts:

A4&Holofote
Gabriela Marçal: Email | +55 11 96864-4263
Neila Carvalho: Email | +55 11 99916-5094

Sesc 24 de Maio: Email
+55 11 3350-6445/ 6449 / 6472


From press information.
© Cover image on top: Haupt & Binder, Universes in Universe
© Photos: Biennial Sesc_Videobrasil

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