| Denver's Biennial - 2010 |
| Posted: April 02, 2008 | |||
 I wasn't quite sure what to make of the Denver Mayor's office recent announcement outlining plans for a "Biennial of the Americas" coming the Summer of 2010. Certainly, a $2 million grant pledged by the Boettcher Foundation alongside another $4 million to be donated by a variety of businesses will attract some talent, a veritable shopping spree for the "seven to nine-member team [that] will invite and review curatorial proposals." And I have no doubt that there will be some home runs, perhaps something as exciting as Peter Kozma's light installation that will be on display later this summer in time for the DNC, or Christo's "Over the River" project.That said, the initial press release seemed (literally) all over the map, turning what should rightly be a focused sojourn through the visual arts into a hodgepodge featuring "cultural exhibitions" and artists from "the tip of the Tierra del Fuego to the Northern Hudson Bay" as well as an "ideas pavilion that will explore themes ranging from science to urban planning." (!) I guess no one had the guts to call a spade a spade and just promote the old 19th century concept of an urban exposition (hey, it's not like we're getting a summer Olympics anytime soon. And what's with the bad clip art [right] as the initial visual introduction to this grand artistic endeavor? Let's hope it's not indicative of the inevitable branding efforts to come.) It's obvious the focus is on tourism with the arts serving as a benign conduit for filling hotel rooms and restaurants. Let's hope the local arts community is actually given some chance to participate and get a piece of the $6 million pie. - KLH Denver to Launch Biennial of the Americas Mayor Hickenlooper Announces $2 Million Grant From Boettcher Foundation For Landmark Arts Program
In the historic tradition of Venice and Sao Paolo, the world’s newest international contemporary art biennial is coming to Denver.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced the city has received a $2 million grant from the Boettcher Foundation to help launch the Mile High City’s inaugural Biennial of the Americas. Scheduled for the summer of 2010, the two-month-long curated event will be a celebration of contemporary art and ideas from throughout the Americas. The Biennial will feature two major cultural exhibitions, one focusing on the contemporary arts of the Americas and a secondary program, an “ideas pavilion,” that will explore themes ranging from science to urban planning. Each program will be led by a respected curator.
“From the tip of the Tierra del Fuego to the Northern Hudson Bay, we will bring together and showcase the best contemporary artists of all the Americas in what will become one of the major art celebrations in this part of the world,” Hickenlooper said.
With three new art museums, a restored opera house and a fresh symphony hall on the way, Denver is already experiencing a cultural renaissance. Hickenlooper noted, “Add the ninth busiest airport in the world and our central geographic location, and Denver is a natural place to bring the Americas together for an exhibition of arts and ideas.”
Starting in 2010, the Biennial of the Americas will be repeated every two years and is expected to grow into a major tourism attraction for Denver, attracting international scholars, art appreciators and collectors, journalists and travelers. Cultural projects and events will take place throughout the Denver metro area, integrating this festival of the arts into the civic life of the Mile High City and the Rocky Mountain region.
“Denver has experienced unprecedented growth in cultural programs and infrastructure, while continuing to raise the level of community engagement,” said Tim Schultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation. “The Boettcher Foundation is excited to be the lead contributor to the Biennial of the Americas. The Boettcher Foundation’s mission is to serve Colorado residents and institutions, and we are confident that this event will solidify Denver’s position as a leading city for culture in North and South America.”
Mayor Hickenlooper continued, “Denver is a young city that captures the vitality and energy of the Americas through our heritage and diverse contemporary culture. We look forward to focusing the world’s attention on the art and ideas important to our hemisphere every two years.”
About the Boettcher Foundation:
The Boettcher Foundation is a privately endowed grant-making organization dedicated to assisting, encouraging and promoting the residents of the State of Colorado. Incorporated in 1937 under the laws of the State of Colorado, the Boettcher Foundation is a corporation for charitable and benevolent purposes and not for financial profit.
|
