Sharjah Biennial 12: The past, the present, the possible (SB12) began to take shape in a private conversation between artist Danh Vo and curator Eungie Joo in early 2013. Together they discussed the relevance of contemporary art and the potential of artistic positions to imagine something beyond current states of social and political confinement—and the need for artists to play active roles in imagining the possible.

While archeological research confirms the presence of humans in this region over 125,000 years ago, Sharjah — as a city, an emirate and a member of a relatively young federation — is still in the process of imagining itself through education, culture, religion, heritage and science. SB12 invites more than fifty artists and cultural practitioners from approximately twenty-five countries to participate in this process by introducing their ideas of the possible through their art and work.

SB12 will be on view from March 5 – June 5, 2015, with opening events taking place March 5 – 7. A vital component of Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual programming,March Meeting 2015 will take place 11 – 16 May. SB12  also features a monthly talks series in Sharjah beginning in September 2014.

Sharjah Biennial is organised by Sharjah Art Foundation, which brings a broad range of contemporary art and cultural programmes to the communities of Sharjah, the UAE and the region.

Since 1993, Sharjah Biennial has commissioned, produced and presented large-scale public installations, performances and films, offering artists from the region and beyond an internationally-recognised platform for exhibition and experimentation.

Opening Programme:

Thursday, March 5

10am
Sharjah Biennial 12 official opening

10am–1pm
Abkhazia Anembassy hours with Maxim Gvinjia part of Secession Sessions by Eric Baudelaire

Ongoing
XYZ: action by Eduardo Navarro
Use Like Water: performance by Nikhil Chopra

9:30pm
Souls’ Landscapes: Violence, magical superstructures & invisible guardians: performance by Uriel Barthélémi

Friday, March 6

10am–1pm
Abkhazia Anembassy hours with Maxim Gvinjia part of Secession Sessions by Eric Baudelaire

4pm
Fanfare funérailles (Funeral Brass): performance by Papy Ebotani

Until sunset
Use Like Water: performance by Nikhil Chopra

8:30pm
Le Cargo: performance by Faustin Linyekula

10pm
In the absence of the objects seen: screening event by Ayreen Anastas and Rene Gabri

Saturday, March 7

10am–5pm
Excursion to Kalba to view installation by Adrián Villar Rojas

7pm
Souls’ Landscapes: The great mantle of night which has enveloped us…: performance by Uriel Barthélémi

9:30pm
Le Cargo: performance by Faustin Linyekula

•  
• Open:
  Thursday, 05 March 2015
• Close:
  Friday, 05 June 2015
• Address:
  Arts Area, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
• Mail:
   info@sharjahart.org
• Phone:
  +971 6 568 5050
• Web:
  Sharjah Biennial 12
• Photo credits:
  1. Building H, SAF Art Spaces, Sharjah, UAE, 2. Bait Gholoum Ibrahim, SAF Art Spaces, Sharjah, UAE, 3. One of the Sharjah Biennial 12 sites, Sharjah, UAE; Courtesy of ©Sharjah Art Foundation