The city of São José do Rio Preto, in the northwestern region of the state of São Paulo, will host one of the sections of the 35th Bienal de São Paulo – choreographies of the impossible, in partnership with Sesc São Paulo. The show arrives in the city on March 5 and will remain there until May 26. Curated by Diane Lima, Grada Kilomba, Hélio Menezes and Manuel Borja-Villel, the exhibition was a success in 2023, receiving acclaim from both the public and critics.

São José do Rio Preto will receive a special selection with fourteen participants: Amador e Jr. Segurança Patrimonial Ltda., Aurora Cursino dos Santos, Carmézia Emiliano, Colectivo Ayllu, Frente 3 de Fevereiro, Januário Jano, Katherine Dunham, Luana Vitra, Marilyn Boror Bor, Maya Deren, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, Rommulo Vieira Conceição, Ubirajara Ferreira Braga and Zumví Arquivo Afro Fotográfico.

The 35th Bienal de São Paulo – choreographies of the impossible explores the complexities and urgencies of the contemporary world, addressing social, political and cultural transformations. The curators seek to tension the spaces between the possible and the impossible, the visible and the invisible, the real and the imaginary, giving voice to diverse issues and perspectives in a poetic way. Choreography, understood as a set of body-centered movements that defy limits, considers diverse trajectories and areas of activity, creating strategies to face institutional and curatorial challenges. The choreographies of the impossible generate their own relationships, times and spaces, offering visitors a remarkable experience.

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 the choreographies of the impossible to the Bienal Pavilion is extremely important for the work carried out”.

Andrea Pinheiro, president of the Fundação Bienal de São Paulo, highlights the importance not only of bringing the choreographies of the impossible to a wider audience, but also of strengthening ties between cultural institutions. She says: “Taking the choreographies of the impossible to more cities and with a partner as important as Sesc is extremely important for strengthening Brazil’s cultural institutions. The exchange of experiences between audiences and institutions is one of the great assets of the Bienal de São Paulo’s traveling exhibitions program.”

35th Bienal de São Paulo – choreographies of the impossible
Traveling Exhibitions Program
Sesc Rio Preto Traveling Exhibition
Curators: Diane Lima, Grada Kilomba, Hélio Menezes, and Manuel Borja-Villel
Opening: March 5, 7:30 pm (open to the public)
Mar 6 – May 26, 2024
Tue – Fri, 1 pm – 9:30 pm
Sat, Sun, holidays, 10 am – 6:30 pm
Sesc Rio Preto
Av. Francisco das Chagas Oliveira, 1333
São José do Rio Preto, SP
free admission