12th Sharjah Biennale

The past, the present, the possible: Sharjah Biennial 12

March 5–June 5, 2015

Curator: Eungie Joo
Associate Curator: Ryan Inouye

The premise of SB12 stems from a conversation between artist Danh Vo and curator Eungie Joo in early 2013, about the relevance of contemporary art and the potential of artistic positions to imagine something beyond current states of social and political confinement.

Together they discussed the relevance of contemporary art and the potential of artistic positions to imagine something beyond current states of social and political confinement—and the need for artists to play active roles in imagining the possible.

Beginning with Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual March Meeting in 2014, SB12 has engaged artists in a conversation about the place, the project, and each others’ practices. Though archaeological research confirms the presence of humans in this region over 125,000 years ago, Sharjah—as a city, an emirate and a member of a relatively young federation—is still in the process of imagining itself through education, culture, religion, heritage and science. SB12 invites over 50 artists and cultural practitioners from approximately twenty-five countries to participate in this process by introducing their ideas of the possible through their art and work. Two-thirds of participating artists will present new works and commissions.

Programming for SB12 includes monthly lectures and workshops in various locations around Sharjah from September 2014 to February 2015. In addition, March Meeting 2015, SAF’s signature annual programme will take place May 11–15—with distinct chapters organised by artists and cultural practitioners participating in SB12.

SB12 Monthly Talks 

27 October, 7:00 pm Eduardo Navarro in conversation with SB12 associate curator Ryan Inouye, Brownbook Office, DIFC Dubai

22 November, 6:00 pm: Rheim Alkadhi 

20 December, 6:00 pm: Discussion with Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, Mohammed Kazem, Abdul-Raheem Sharif and Hassan Sharif, moderated by Dr. Yousef Aidabi

24 January, 6:00 pm: SB12 artists’ roundtable discussion with SB12 curator Eungie Joo 

21 February, 6:30 pm: Taro Shinoda