The Honolulu Biennial, presented by Honolulu Biennial Foundation (HBF), is a new Biennial, officially launching in 2016 that marks Honolulu’s first entry into the global biennial circuit, with a focus on art from Oceania, the Asian continent, and the Americas, which is thematically examined in this prologue exhibition.

By News Editor 17 Aug 2014

The Prologue Exhibition for the 2016 Honolulu Biennial

Chain of Fire

Co-presented by Hawai’i International Film Festival and Honolulu Biennial Foundation

October 30-November 9, 2014

The Honolulu Biennial, organized by Honolulu Biennial Foundation, marks Hawaii’s first entry into the global biennial circuit, focusing on art from Oceania, the Asian continent, and the Americas. The full-scale Biennial debuts in 2016 and will exhibit groundbreaking, international contemporary art, in addition to highlighting Hawai’i’s notable, but under-recognized contributions by its communities and individuals to global arts and culture on the international stage.

Taking place in Our Kaka‘ako, a new neighborhood by Kamehameha Schools and innovative hub for the local, creative and artistic community, the Chain of Fire – The Prologue Exhibition for the 2016 Honolulu Biennial and complementing public programs will occur in various urban venues and creative spaces within the Our Kaka’ako neighborhood. As part of Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) 2014’s broad and multifaceted program, the exhibition opens and closes as part of the 34th HIFF.

Presenting works by Hawai’i-based, national, and international artists and collectives, with a focus on new media, video, photography and multimedia installations, participating artists include: Paul Pfeiffer (Philippines/USA/Hawai’i), Shigeyuki Kihara (Samoa/New Zealand), Bahar Behbahani (Iran/USA), Arahmaiani (Indonesia), Almagul Menlibayeva (Kazakhstan), Adrienne Keahi Pao (Hawai’i/USA), Mark Salvatus (Philippines),and Sama Alshaibi (Iraq/Palestine/USA), in addition to a site-responsive installation by multimedia artist Hasan Elahi (Bangladesh/USA).

Newly commissioned and site-responsive works by Hawai’i’s own Drew Broderick and the collective, Pas de Chocolat, will also be exhibited. Chain of Fire: The Prologue Exhibition for the 2016 Honolulu Biennialis curated by HBF Co-founding Directors, Dr. Kóan Jeff Baysa and Isabella Ellaheh Hughes, both internationally-operating curators and critics from Hawai’i.