17th Biennale of SYDNEY - Everyone wants to understand art

 "This is what the Biennale aims to do: to open minds, to challenge ideas and to stimulate thinking." the Biennale's chief executive, Marah Braye, says.


Biennale is Italian for "every other year". It is most commonly used within the art world to describe an international manifestation of contemporary art (wikipedia). Biennale held in many countries including Australia. The 17th Biennale of Sydney was held from 12 May-1 August 2010 in Cockatoo Island.

Adam Fulton, a Sydney Morning Herald journalist who reports on the arts and entertainment such as as movies and music, wrote an article about this exhibition. He writes: "expect spectacular moments as Sydney is turned into a giant gallery" for its sub headline. It give readers a hint of what biennale is about  before they continue reading the content. He also interviewed David Elliot, The curator of Sydney's 17th Biennale, to explain about the concept behind and the aim Biennale of Sydney.

"Neo Thousand Armed Kannon"
Hisashi Tenmyouya
(acrylic on wood)

The target audiences for this article are art lovers, artists, art and design students. Fulton mentions some prominent artists from various countries and some works that highlighted at the launch, from paintings to installations and new-media art, such as Kader Attia's shantytown-like installation and Hisashi Tenmyouya's triptych depicting a 1000-armed Japanese god, and Brook Andrew's inflatable Jumping Castle War Memorial.

"Jumping Castle War Memorial"
Brook Andrew

"Kasbah"
Kader Attia

At the end of the article, Fulton explains that Elliot has dedicated the Biennale to Waterlow, the former curator of Sydney's biennales in 1979,1986 and 1988, who was killed in Randwick last year. It is an appealing statement to conclude the article because Nick Waterlow was the Biennale's most prolific artistic director and served on the Biennale's Board for 11 years (1994-2005).