The Athens Biennial

Biennials and large-scale periodic exhibitions constitute a sizeable part of the production and distribution system of artistic products, an instrument of the economic strategy of the world-wide cultural industry, and a vehicle for the development of cities. Moreover, it has by now been observed that in order to produce a discourse in, one has to place oneself within the distribution system, as the production of discourse outside the distribution system – which would, however, have an impact within the system – appears to be a conceptual impossibility. At the same time, though, the inclusion of discourse in the system of distribution makes the discourse itself mutate to the point that its impact is exhausted. There is therefore a need for the creation of a space where the desire to produce discourse will co-exist alongside the pragmatic observation of the general difficulty to resist the system of distribution.

The new institution of the Athens Biennial – porting the notion of “biennial” with a full realization of its content – will function as an observatory, which will include the elements of contemplation and elaboration on collective issues. Athens is an ideal location for the institution of such an observatory, as it does not seem to ever coincide with the ceaselessly shifting borders between center and periphery, and thus it constitutes a sort of “non-place”, which provides an oversight of both the centre and the periphery.

The Athens Biennial aims to be a constant mechanism for the designation and the critical engagement of local artistic production, as well as a forum of discussion and exchange with the international scene. In this context, besides a biennial exhibition, the Athens Biennial will organize events and conferences, it will publish "a. the athens contemporary art review", a monthly, bilingual, online art criticism magazine, it will collaborate with "artwaveradio", an online radio station, and it will remain open to proposals, interventions and collaborations.

The 1st Athens Biennial International Contemporary Art Exhibition, titled “Destroy Athens”, is curated by Xenia Kalpaktsoglou, Poka - Yio, and Augustine Zenakos.

The Athens Biennial is organized by the Athens Biennial – Non-Profit Organization.