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Bermuda, Wednesday, August 11, 2010
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'Greater heights of artistic exploration' By René Hill
Work by 20 artists goes on show tonight for the ninth Bacardi Limited Biennial of Contemporary Bermuda Art.
The exhibition, at the Bermuda Bryan Ritchie's Bar Intentions, Deceptive National Gallery (BNG), was juried Touch and Truth Seeker were some of the by international guests Veerle Photo Albums works accepted by the international jurors Today's Photos Poupeye, executive director of the for this Bacardi Limited Biennial of Spotted on the National Gallery of Jamaica, and Contemporary Bermuda Art, which opens Rock this evening. Other Lifestyle Stories > Tumelo Mosaka, curator of Fuelled by the 'Latin Beat' Weekly contemporary art, Krannert Art Body & Soul Museum, University of Illinois. Farewell to a beloved Shipping Young Observer guide dog The exhibition 42 pieces of diverse Religion Play to highlight the fight art from Meredith Andrews, John Classifieds for freedom Battersbee, Louisa Bermingham Classified Flannery, William Collieson, James N. Christina Hutchings Lost, Found & Whistle Community Observing our foibles with Cooper, Graham C. Foster, John A. and Bermuda Map can be viewed in the Weather a sense of humour Bacardi Limited Biennial of Contemporary Bermuda Calendar Gardner, Charlie Godet Thomas, Bermuda Art, which opens this evening. Links Kathy Harriott, Scott Hill, Antoine A. Anniversary Club Newspaper R. Hunt, N. Christina Hutchings, Services Sunell Lombard, Ian MacdonaldAbout Us Smith, Bill Ming, Kevin Morris, Related stories > Contact Us Bryan Ritchie, Alan C. Smith, 'Greater heights of Subscribe Michael Walsh and Charles Zuill. artistic exploration':: Electronic Edition Advertise
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BNG curator Sophie Cressall said: Photographer James Cooper prefers to use "The jurors engaged in a highly readily available everyday objects to create critical, deeply reflective process of his sculptures. His work can be viewed in the Bacardi Limited Biennial of Contemporary art review. They were committed to Bermuda Art, which opens this evening. examining the submitted art through the international lenses within which they work, and this has led to a very tight, cohesive exhibition, which has strong international credibility." International jurors Veerle Poupeye and Tumelo Mosaka stated: "The selection process for the 2010 Bermuda Biennal presented difficult challenges for us that seemed inherent to its location and the history.
Ninth Bacardi Biennial set to open on June 18:: Shortlist revealed 41 Bermudian artists will have their work judged by international panel Diverse, innovative and thought-provoking – a snapshot of Bermuda's contemporary art scene Video media makes its debut at the Bacardi Biennial exhibition Controversial? Yes – but a truly groundbreaking show::
"In making our selections, we felt compelled to move beyond the already ascribed visual vocabulary that reflects figuratively on the Bermudian landscape, the all-toocomfortable 'island aesthetic' that can be seen in many of the local galleries and is well supported by the local art market and cultural
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tourism. "We are not disputing the legitimacy of such work in the Bermudian context and recognise that much of it is highly accomplished in its own right, especially from a technical Michael Walsh says 'Art is the opportunity to point of view. The exhibition we create reason'. His pieces can be viewed in the Bacardi Limited Biennial of have selected, therefore, does not Contemporary Bermuda Art, which opens seek to provide a broad survey of this evening. the contemporary art scene in Bermuda. Had we done so, we would have produced a biennial, which replicated much of the 2008 edition and unproductively encouraged stagnation. "Instead, we have focused on work that departs from the safe, fixed positions we detected in much of what was submitted and charts more open-ended, critical trajectories, in keeping with what we believe should be the exploratory, developmental thrust of this biennial. This was the main criterion we used in our selection process." Bacardi managing director, Michael Brennan said: "The Biennial Exhibition, one of the most dynamic events on the art calendar, inspires Bermuda's contemporary artists to strive beyond their normal comfort zones to greater heights of artistic exploration. Especially in these difficult times, we need creative and talented artists to imagine a better future, and to enhance the lives of all of us living in Bermuda. We need to celebrate this spirit for life – this vigour of heart, mind, and soul to reach beyond limits, wherever it is found." Exhibition supporter and Premier Ewart Brown, added: "It has been said that art shouldn't merely comfort or entertain us – it should also challenge us. "I hope this exhibit leaves you thinking about your place in our shrinking world. It is my sincerest hope that this year's Biennial will help each of us to appreciate the creativity, diversity and strength of our people. I encourage everyone in Bermuda to come and see the Biennial to be inspired and challenged." The BNG's mission is to promote, benefit, and advance the visual arts in Bermuda. BNG director Lisa Howie stated: "Looking across the eight previous Biennials, we can see how the exhibition has evolved, and how this current exhibition makes a strong statement about contemporary art in Bermuda. "All of the artists who submitted must be commended, as submitting to an international jury takes some courage. "I trust that all the artists will embrace the jury's selection, and that this Biennial will help to locate Bermuda's artistic talent on the map." The exhibition remains up until November 26.
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