17 th Biennale of Sydney 12 May – 1 August 2010 REPORT th 17 Biennale of Sydney THE BEAUTY OF DISTANCE: Songs of Survival in a Precarious Age 12 May – 1 August 2010 Dedicated to Nick Waterlow oam ~ The 17th Biennale of Sydney is dedicated to the life and continuing influence of Nick Waterlow OAM (1941–2009). Nick Waterlow was the Biennale’s most prolific artistic director. He curated the 1979, 1986 and 1988 exhibitions, and was Chair of the International Selection Committee in 2000. For 11 years (1994–2005), Nick also served on the Board of the Biennale of Sydney and his profound contribution to the Biennale is immeasurable. The keynote address of the Biennale of Sydney’s Opening Week Forum will henceforth be named in his memory. th 17 Biennale of Sydney THE BEAUTY OF DISTANCE: Songs of Survival in a Precarious Age 12 May – 1 August 2010 Dedicated to Nick Waterlow oam ~ The 17th Biennale of Sydney is dedicated to the life and continuing influence of Nick Waterlow OAM (1941–2009). Nick Waterlow was the Biennale’s most prolific artistic director. He curated the 1979, 1986 and 1988 exhibitions, and was Chair of the International Selection Committee in 2000. For 11 years (1994–2005), Nick also served on the Board of the Biennale of Sydney and his profound contribution to the Biennale is immeasurable. The keynote address of the Biennale of Sydney’s Opening Week Forum will henceforth be named in his memory. Contents About the Biennale of Sydney 4 Messages of Support 5 Chairman’s Message 6 CEO’s Report 7 Artistic Director’s Report 8 Highlights 9 Cockatoo Island 15 Museum of Contemporary Art 23 Pier 2/3 29 Sydney Opera House 30 Royal Botanic Gardens 31 Art Gallery of New South Wales 32 Artspace 33 Performances 34 SuperDeluxe@Artspace 35 Operations 41 Opening Week 42 Events and Public Programs 46 Publications and Resources 50 Attendance and Audience Research 54 Media 56 Marketing Campaign 58 Partners 60 Revenue and Expenditure 63 Artists 64 With thanks Official Guests 65 Board and Staff 66 The Biennale of Sydney gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the many Crew, Interns and Volunteers 67 organisations and individuals that make the exhibition and its programs possible. Supporters and Project Support 68 Cultural Funding 71 MAJOR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS GOVERNMENT PARTNER Founding Partner Since 1973 Cover Opposite Cai Guo-Qiang Peter Hennessey Inopportune: Stage One | 2004 My Hubble (The universe turned in on itself) | 2010 Installation view of the 17th Biennale of Sydney (2010) at Cockatoo Island Installation view of the 17th Biennale of Sydney (2010) at Cockatoo Island Gift of Robert M. Arnold, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Courtesy the artist; Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide; Seattle Art Museum, 2006.1 (Exhibition Copy) and Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne The presentation of this project was made possible with This project was assisted by Arts Victoria; Gunnersen; assistance from Shiseido and New Touch Laser Cutting Contents About the Biennale of Sydney 4 Messages of Support 5 Chairman’s Message 6 CEO’s Report 7 Artistic Director’s Report 8 Highlights 9 Cockatoo Island 15 Museum of Contemporary Art 23 Pier 2/3 29 Sydney Opera House 30 Royal Botanic Gardens 31 Art Gallery of New South Wales 32 Artspace 33 Performances 34 SuperDeluxe@Artspace 35 Operations 41 Opening Week 42 Events and Public Programs 46 Publications and Resources 50 Attendance and Audience Research 54 Media 56 Marketing Campaign 58 Partners 60 Revenue and Expenditure 63 Artists 64 With thanks Official Guests 65 Board and Staff 66 The Biennale of Sydney gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the many Crew, Interns and Volunteers 67 organisations and individuals that make the exhibition and its programs possible. Supporters and Project Support 68 Cultural Funding 71 MAJOR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS GOVERNMENT PARTNER Founding Partner Since 1973 Cover Opposite Cai Guo-Qiang Peter Hennessey Inopportune: Stage One | 2004 My Hubble (The universe turned in on itself) | 2010 Installation view of the 17th Biennale of Sydney (2010) at Cockatoo Island Installation view of the 17th Biennale of Sydney (2010) at Cockatoo Island Gift of Robert M. Arnold, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Courtesy the artist; Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide; Seattle Art Museum, 2006.1 (Exhibition Copy) and Tolarno Galleries, Melbourne The presentation of this project was made possible with This project was assisted by Arts Victoria; Gunnersen; assistance from Shiseido and New Touch Laser Cutting 17th Biennale of Sydney | Report 17th Biennale of Sydney | Report A bout the Biennale of S ydney Messages of Support Every two years, the Biennale of Sydney is The Biennale of Sydney engages Australian and The Hon Simon Crean mp The Hon Virginia Judge mp Clover Moore mp presented free to the public over a 12-week international audiences with bold and innovative MINISTer FOr regIONAl AuSTrAlIA, regIONAl MINISTer FOr FAIr TrAdINg lOrd MAyOr OF SydNey period. As Australia’s largest and most exciting develOPMeNT ANd lOCAl gOverNMeNT MINISTer FOr THe ArTS MINISTer FOr THe ArTS contemporary visual arts event – with more contemporary art from around the world, challenges than 517,000 visits in 2010 – the 17th Biennale the status quo, promotes cultural exchange, and The Biennale of Sydney is an important part of Without exception, the Biennale of Sydney This year the Biennale of Sydney saw more of Sydney celebrated the organisation’s the Australian and international arts scene. provides access to the finest and most cutting than half a million people attend Australia’s 37th anniversary. inspires audiences to experience art, themselves edge contemporary art from around the world. This year’s record-breaking audience of more pre-eminent showcase for local and Sydney is privileged to host one of the most and their world in new and creative ways. than half a million experienced a diverse Presenting a diverse program of over 300 free international contemporary art, successfully celebrated and respected biennale exhibitions showcase of Australian and international events, it was wonderful to see some of the capturing the attention of the audience with in the world. Alongside the Venice and São The Biennale of Sydney is committed to developing artists with 444 works by 167 artists and world’s best contemporary art on display in over 440 artworks and 300 free events. Paolo biennales and documenta, it is one of the audiences for contemporary art, increasing collaborators from 36 countries. venues and public spaces around Sydney. I congratulate you on your success and longest running exhibitions of its kind and was This three-month event has an important role It was particularly exciting to visit Pier 2/3 reflect on the importance of the event still the first biennale to be established in the understanding and appreciation of the important developing a vibrant visual arts culture in during the Biennale, with the knowledge that going strong after 37 years. Asia-Pacific region. role art plays in society, generating dialogue and Australia and in providing a platform for local our government has secured it for the people The arts challenge and delight us; they help The inaugural edition in 1973 also heralded the mutual understanding, and fostering international artists’ work to be seen on the world stage. of New South Wales. us understand ourselves and our world; they new generation of biennale exhibitions, whose Sixty-eight artists premiered new works made The historic finger wharf has been dedicated express who we are and give voice to our primary aim is to provide a platform for individual cultural exchange. specifically for the exhibition, with many of to arts and cultural uses under a new 99-year aspirations and fears. artists, their creativity and ideas, rather than these being made by Australian artists. lease, delivering a major new arts space in a representations of nationhood. This pivotal Our charter is to offer encounters with art and artists Since 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has landmark location. become a pivotal event in the creative position has endowed the Biennale of Sydney and to provide fresh curatorial perspectives and The Australian government is proud to have with the confidence to explore varying terrains supported this internationally significant Cockatoo Island, used for the second time by life – not only of Sydney, but of the whole and break new ground in each edition. independent artistic vision, as well as to produce arts and cultural event and congratulates the Biennale, experienced an 82% increase in of Australia. Importantly, the Biennale sponsors and philanthropic supporters for visitation and highlighted the way the venue is plays a role in enriching our cultural life; Since its inception, the Biennale of Sydney has programs and publications that underpin the their partnership, which makes the Biennale being embraced as an arts space. in educating us and fostering international provided an international platform for innovative exhibition. We also offer artists the opportunity to more accessible to audiences and gives more exchange; in engaging, delighting, provoking and challenging contemporary art, showcasing The success of the 17th Biennale wasn’t just make new work in Sydney and to reach a broader artists an opportunity to show their work. and stimulating all of us who come to it with the work of more than 1500 artists from over the visitation of more than 517,000 across an open mind and a willingness to look. 83 countries. audience. during its 37-year history, the Biennale has all the venues; it was also the way the event firmly entrenched itself as a highlight on engaged with new audiences using social Supporting the arts and creative industries The core of the Biennale of Sydney is the the arts calendar.