On December 10, the International Biennial of Cuenca in Ecuador begins under the title Biennial of the Biocene: Change the Green to Blue. As the title suggests, the 15th edition of the event will address issues arising from the climate and ecosocial crisis. It will be based on three lines of thought close to the thesis of the main curator, Blanca de la Torre, about the Biocene, which is an alternative concept to that of the Anthropocene. At the same time, the lines of thought will serve as directional pillars: On the one hand, ancestral and traditional knowledge, which preserves the traditions of communities and indigenous knowledge and deals with biocultural know-how. On the other hand, critical ecofeminism as well as eco-dependence and intercultural learning as a way to better all cultures. And last but not least, the claim to make art an effective tool to create probable and possible futures driven by the simulation of utopias and alternatives.
In order to be able to implement a sustainable biennial that is oriented towards these ideas, the number of participating artists was reduced, among other things. This results in fewer spaces that can be close together, so that visitors do not have to use transportation to visit all the exhibition venues. Instead, they are encouraged to enjoy the experience on foot and spend more time at each project. This is to escape the classically unmanageable biennials that hardly offer the time to see everything, as they follow a restless rhythm. Furthermore, 70% of the selected artists are women - the highest percentage of female artists compared to previous editions of the Cuenca Biennial.
In addition to thought leadership, a set of guidelines were established in advance to minimize the environmental footprint throughout the event period. For example, the shipping of artwork was kept to a minimum; much of the work was produced locally, prioritizing local materials and environmentally friendly processes. In addition, a waste concept was developed that included donating most materials to the communities and making those that need to be disposed of biodegradable. Interested parties have the chance to get a glimpse of the environmentally conscious spectacle until February 28, 2022.
