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2008 European Biennale of Contemporary Art comes to South Tyrol
Manifesta 7, the 2008 European Biennale of Contemporary Art, will be coming to South Tyrol and its neighbouring region Trentino between 19 July and 2 November.
One of the world's most significant regular exhibitions of contemporary art, the Manifesta exhibition takes place in a different European location every second year. Since its inception in 1996 Manifesta has denoted a reaction to the political and social changes in Europe, accompanying and anticipating the unification process in Europe. The choice of locations which have hosted Manifesta reflects a departure from the usual centres and an emphasis on regions and cities to which unification and integration are key, ranging from Rotterdam, Luxembourg, Ljubljana, Frankfurt and Donostia to Nicosia and now South Tyrol and Trentino.
The exhibition’s arrival in South Tyrol is a reflection of the region’s current trend towards a more contemporary outlook and more open acceptance of outside influences, coupled with ongoing fostering of its traditions and own culture. Manifesta is always open to experimentation, using unusual venues rather than museums and, unlike the Venice Biennale, offering opportunities to unfamiliar and lesser-known curators, new exhibition models and artists who have yet to make their mark on the international scene. It is noteworthy that in the past many artists left South Tyrol to pursue art careers elsewhere, such as Gilbert Proesch of the renowned duo Gilbert and George, whilst the region will now be attracting and welcoming back artistic talent as it hosts one of the most progressive biennales in Europe. The exhibition’s venues are to be located in a range of remarkable South Tyrolean venues like the fortress of Fortezza nearby Bressanone that dates back to the middle of the 19th century.
Further information: www.manifesta7.it |