The 2024 Busan Biennale, which opened
on August 17, will continue with various associated programs until October 20.
Under the theme "Seeing in the Dark," this year's Biennale features
349 works by 62 artists (teams) from 36 countries.
Beyond the artists, the Biennale
brings together participants from diverse cultural backgrounds and fields,
including writers, educators, instrument makers, doctors, DJs,
multidisciplinary researchers, and religious figures. The associated programs,
praised for their depth and artistic exploration, further enrich the Biennale's
offerings.
Nika Dubrovsky & Cory Doctorow at the 2024 Busan Biennale “Palaver in the Dark” ©Busan Biennale
The first program, "Palaver in the Dark," includes dialogues and artist talks. Running since August 17, it features contributions from individuals like Song Cheon, Ishikawa Mao, and Stefano Harney with Zun Lee.
Ishikawa Mao at the 2024 Busan Biennale “Palaver in the Dark” ©Busan Biennale
Dialogue Program
The first dialogue, "Fight Club:
Technology as a Social Relationship," took place on August 18 at HANSUNG1918.
It explored pirate utopias based on technology—creative sharing and expression
as acts of piracy that challenge copyright, with themes of freedom of
expression, fair use, privacy protection, and information transparency. The dialogue
also examined how these elements represent deception, rebellion, and resistance
against norms. The panel featured Nika Dubrovsky, an artist from the United
States, and Cory Doctorow, a Canadian blogger.
The second dialogue, "Buddhist
Art: Reality and Illusion," is scheduled for September 21 at 3 pm on the
first floor of Busan Museum of Contemporary Art and Taring Padi's Podium. This dialogue,
with Monk Song Cheon and art critic Eunjung Cho, will explore the relationship
between reality and illusion through Buddhist artworks, discussing how visual
expression captures Buddhist philosophy.
2024 Busan Biennale “Palaver in the Dark”, Tracy Naa Koshie Thompson Artist Talk ©Busan Biennale
Artist Talk
During the 2024 Busan Biennale, artists Tracy Naa Koshie Thompson, Layne Waerea with Youngsook Choi, Ishikawa Mao, and Fred Moten & Stefano Harney with Zun Lee participated in artist talks on August 17 and September 8 at the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art and HANSUNG1918. Through these programs, the artists shared their unique artistic perspectives shaped by their cultural backgrounds and discussed their specific works featured in the Biennale.
The artist talk by Fred Moten & Stefano Harney with Zun Lee, held on September 8, is available for viewing on the Busan Biennale's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQdgmdAAB4k).
