We as individuals each carry forward our own past as ‘vessels’. If everything about the present moment is determined by the past, then, when collectively imagining our future, we ignore the lessons of the past at our peril.
The Santorini Biennale of Arts aims to support the exchange of arts and experiences, whilst pursuing both a regional and international programme of cultural collaboration. Determined by a fundamental need to cultivate a spirit of research, experimentation and excellence, the Biennale will act as a catalyst for cultural growth.
“Nostalgia today is a form of reflection on the present, a way of taking a position on it... It’s a nostalgia not only for the past that was but for the one that could have been – in other words, a nostalgia for the future.” - Viktor Misiano.
The 2012 theme, ‘The Past: Memory and Nostalgia’, will examine intrinsic experiences and social relationships, inspired by how humanity accumulates a catalogue of ourpersonal fabric and how these collected manifestations shape the patterns of our lives.
The mission of the Biennale is to promote both emerging and established artists through a wide variety of disciplines; from Drawing, Graphic Design, Illustration, Collage and Comics, through Paper, Painting, Glass, Sculpture and Ceramics, to Photography, Short Film, Video Art, Installation and Industrial Design. This initiative supports an infrastructure for amélange of the arts through a didactic and experimental series of exhibits.
By means of an advanced framework of outreach activities the Biennale seeks to cultivate the emerging spirit of the island, inviting all participants into an open dialogue concerning new ideas for social change.
THE CURATORIAL TEAM
Dimitra Bratika and Michael Vlavianos (Photography), Sara Falanga (Glass Art and Graphic Art), iLya (Comics), Rajesh Punj (Sculpture and Installation), Alexa Kusber(Industrial Design), Tracey Holt Walkden (Ceramics), Tomas Poblete (Collage), Paola Gentili (Paper), Nicky Peacock (Illustration), Simon Tarrant (Painting), Anneca York(Drawing) and Holly Bynoe (Video Art and Short Film).
The open call for artist submissions is from 6 March through 19 May 2012. Detailed information at: http://www.santorinibiennale.gr/#/call-for-artists
About the Santorini Biennale of the Arts
The Santorini Biennale of Arts is a non-profit organisation that presents Greece’s latest and most exciting contemporary visual arts event. Held every two years, the Biennale hosts a three-month exhibition, plus a program of artist talks, performances, forums, film screenings, family events, guided tours and other special events. The inaugural Santorini Biennale of Arts will be presented from 1st July to the 30th September 2012. The Santorini Biennale of the Arts is founded by Kikos Papadopoulos and Dimitra Trogaidou and is supported by the Municipality of Thira, The Estia of Pyrgos Cultural Association and the Museum of Pyrgos. The Biennale gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the many organisations and individuals that make the exhibitions and the extended programme possible.
