The Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District (SECEC-DF) and the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo are bringing a special selection of the 35th Bienal de São Paulo – choreographies of the impossible to the Museu Nacional da República. Curated by Diane Lima, Grada Kilomba, Hélio Menezes and Manuel Borja-Villel, the exhibition will be on display in Brasília from June 13 to August 25, 2024, with free admission.

The Brazilian capital will host the eighth exhibition held outside the Bienal Pavilion in Ibirapuera, with fourteen participations: Deborah Anzinger, Denilson Baniwa, Katherine Dunham, MAHKU, Manuel Chavajay, Maya Deren, Melchor María Mercado, Nadir Bouhmouch & Soumeya Ait Ahmed, Nikau Hindin, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, Rosa Gauditano, Simone Leigh & Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich, Torkwase Dyson and Zumví Arquivo Afro Fotográfico.

For the curators, it is crucial that the exhibition reaches more cities, transcending the limits of the Bienal Pavilion. According to them, “the debates proposed by the 35th Bienal cross countless territories around the world, so not restricting choreographies of the impossible  to the Bienal Pavilion is extremely important for the work carried out”.

For Claudio Abrantes, the Secretary of Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District, hosting the 35th Bienal de São Paulo at the Museu Nacional da República represents a milestone and a legacy in the rise of the Federal District’s culture: “The Bienal de São Paulo is the largest visual arts exhibition in the southern hemisphere. And for us, it’s a great achievement to bring such an important event to the Museu Nacional da República, to our city, which is increasingly becoming a benchmark for contemporary art in Brazil. In our administration, all forms of culture are valued, whether it’s the performing arts with the refurbishment of the Teatro Nacional, or the visual arts with the partnership with the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo. Our mission is to make the DF a cultural hub and an important vector in the dissemination of our national culture,” said the secretary.

Andrea Pinheiro, president of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, emphasizes the importance not only of bringing the choreographies of the impossible to a wider audience, but also of strengthening ties between cultural institutions: “By bringing the Bienal de São Paulo to the city of Brasília, a true open-air museum, we are not only strengthening Brazilian cultural institutions, but also making art and culture accessible to wider audiences. By overcoming geographical barriers, we create opportunities for more people to experience and participate in the contemporary art scene, further enriching cultural narratives. The partnership with the Museu Nacional da República, through the Secretariat of Culture and Creative Economy of the Federal District, not only facilitates the exchange of experiences between audiences and institutions, but also contributes to building a more inclusive and culturally vibrant society,” she says.

Actions with the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo education team

During the traveling exhibitions, the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, together with its partner institutions, carries out two fronts of educational work that complement each other. These are training actions with the city’s teams of mediators and educators, and outreach actions for the general public.

In Brasilia, the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo is presenting outreach activities based on the educational publication of the 35th Bienal and projects by artists in the show. The activities include mediated and thematic visits to the Museu Nacional da República on June 13 (opening of the exhibition) at 7 pm, June 14 at 3 pm and the 15th at 10 am.

The program also includes a meeting to launch the third movement of the educational publication, called Da dança, da esquiva e de seus saberes: caminhadas e aprendizagens, on June 14, at 9 am. The educational publication of the choreographies of the impossible was divided into three different movements – or volumes – with content aimed at mediation and outreach actions. The third movement, prepared especially for the traveling exhibitions program, was produced based on the practices carried out during the exhibition at the Pavilion and is distributed free of charge to participants in the actions, on a first-come, first-served basis.

These initiatives aim to create a collaborative and dynamic learning environment, providing enriching experiences for teachers, educators, mediators and those interested in art. With a focus on interaction with the public and the promotion of contemporary art, the program seeks to strengthen ties between cultural institutions and contribute to a more inclusive society.

Service
35th Bienal de São Paulo – choreographies of the impossible
Museu Nacional da República Traveling Exhibition
curators: Diane Lima, Grada Kilomba, Hélio Menezes and Manuel Borja-Villel
opening: June 13, Thursday, 7 pm
visitation: Jun 14 – Aug 25, 2024
Tue – Sun, 9 am – 6:30 pm
Museu Nacional da República
Setor Cultural Sul, Lote 2
Brasília, Brazil
free admission

Mediated tour with the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo education team – opening
Jun 13, 2024
Thursday, 7 pm
Museu Nacional da República
Setor Cultural Sul, Lote 2
Brasília, Brazil
free admission

Launch meeting for the third movement of the educational publication of the 35th Bienal
Da dança, da esquiva e de seus saberes: caminhadas e aprendizagens
Jun 14, 2024
Friday, 9 am
Museu Nacional da República
Setor Cultural Sul, Lote 2
Brasília, Brazil
free admission

Mediated visits to the 35th Bienal de São Paulo – choreographies of the impossible
Museu Nacional da República Traveling Exhibition
Jun 14, 2024
Friday, 3 pm
Jun 15, 2024
Saturday, 10 am
Museu Nacional da República
Setor Cultural Sul, Lote 2
Brasília, Brazil
free admission