by Onajídé Shabaka - 10 Apr., 2007

   Are Other Biennials in Our Future?

    by Onajídé Shabaka

This year’s All-Media Juried Biennial exhibition at the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood includes original paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, photography, video, computer-generated images, and site-specific installations. The entries were selected from more than 600 works submitted by 211 Florida-based artists. 37 artists were chosen by this year’s juror Claire Breukel, Executive Director of Locust Projects, located in Miami, from which six awards were given (see works below).

Jane Hart introducing Claire Breukel, Executive Director of Locust Projects

Curators and galleries are always trying to find new ways to get art seen by wider audiences. Every year it seems something new is attempted but, juried exhibitions with monetary awardees goes back many years. The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood opened their All-Media Juried Biennial at just the right time, the downtown Hollywood reopening of Young's Circle. Although there was no conflict of event activities, downtown Hollywood wants to break out of its perception as a little lackluster. The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood has always been a favorite and must-see location.

The exhibition was one that pushed the Miami gallery goer over the county line into Broward, for a change. Some of us cross borders from one county to another as if they didn't exist. At any rate, the works were by artists that we mostly know but, overall, the exhibition was an excellent one.

I like the idea of a biennial or, triennial for S. Florida but, I think all the local institutions should get together and do it. It won't work as long as we have Art Basel Miami Beach because people are too invested in that annual event sucking all the year's energy into itself. How to make it more democratic and, intimidating would be a struggle. Some people wouldn't ever submit work because they just assume certain people would automatically be awarded entry. Others would just assume they'd be selected because they're always selected. Who would make recommendations for entry and, who would then make the selections? Tough questions, any answers (suggestions)?

Robert C. Flynn, Garland

Brad Kuhl and Monique Leyton, One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer

Diane Arrieta, Neighbors

Raul Jose Mendez, The Fear

Susan Lee-Chun, Façade – the Figurative Kind: Still #7

Tom Scicluna, X

Have a comment? Speak up!