2ND JOHANNESBURG BIENNALE
1997 October 12, 1997 - January 18, 1998
The Africus Institute for Contemporary Art (AICA), is pleased to announce the date, venues and programme for the 2nd Johannesburg Biennale 1997.
The first Johannesburg Biennale took place in 1995, marking South Africa's emergence from decades of cultural isolation. Artists and curators from sixty three countries participated in the exhibitions of the Biennale; an event which presented the dynamic discourse of contemporary art while reconnecting South Africa \Vith the international art community.
The African and international context of the Biennale was an important consideration in the decision to appoint an artistic director to bring a specific vision and direction to the 1997 event. In June 1996 Mr Okwui Enwezor, New York-based curator, art critic, and publisher was appointed to the position of Artistic Director.
The 2nd Johannesburg Biennale 1997 differs distinctly from its predecessor in so far as there will be no national pavilions. Enwezor has invited and is working in conjunction with six international curators: Hou Hanru; Kellie Jones; Yu Yeon Kim; Gerardo Mosquera; Colin Richards and Octavio Zaya to curate specific exhibitions based on proposals submitted by the curators around the general concept of Trade Routes: History and Geography.
The Johannesburg Biennale is administered by (AICA), a project of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Council.