THE EUROPEAN BIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART
19 July – 2 November 2008
Manifesta 7, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art is hosted by the Trentino – South Tyrol Region from July 19 to November 2. It takes place in Italy for the first time, stretching across an entire regional territory, encompassing venues in four cities along a course of 150 kilometers joining the north and south of Europe along the Brenner axis: Fortezza (Bressanone), ex Alumix in Bolzano, the Palazzo delle Poste in Trento, Manifattura Tabacchi, ex Peterlini and the train station in Rovereto.
The exhibitions of Manifesta 7 in Fortezza, Bolzano, Trento and Rovereto, including a number of special projects, host more than 230 artists, architects, writers and experts from around the world and the majority of the paintings, sculptures, videos, installations and sound works on show have been specially created for Manifesta 7.
In Rovereto, Adam Budak develops his exhibition Principle Hope in both the 20th Century industrial building of the ex Peterlini and the 19th Century Manifattura Tabacchi and manifestation, curated by the Office for Cognitive Urbanism, takes place at the train station of Rovereto.
Anselm Franke/Hila Peleg in Trento curate the exhibition THE SOUL (or, Much Trouble in the Transportation of Souls) at the Palazzo delle Poste, a functionalist building from the 1930s.
Raqs Media Collective, formed by Jeebesh Bagchi, Monica Narula & Shuddhabrata Sengupta, present their exhibition The Rest of Now in Bolzano at the ex Alumix, another industrial building from the early 20th Century; a series of events entitled Tabula Rasa, by Denis Isaia in conversation with Raqs Media Collective, is presented over the 111 opening days in Room 124 of the ex Alumix.
The entire curatorial team works together at the final exhibition venue, the Austrian fortress of Fortezza, with Scenarios, a project exploring the concept of the immaterial dimension.
Particular attention is dedicated to educational activities throughout the entire region, with a special didactic program linking all the various exhibitions. The didactic team invites people to approach contemporary art in a way that freely shows their own personality and imagination, to build a hospitable place where opinions can be recognized and re-valued. Guided tours in English, Italian and German are available during opening hours, as well as a range of special projects, education materials and activities for school classes.
Silvana Editoriale has published three catalogues for Manifesta 7: INDEX, a guide book dedicated to the four exhibitions and the participating artists (in Italian, German and English); COMPANION, a volume of critical and theoretical studies about the shows and artistic projects (in English); SCENARIOS, a monograph edition dedicated to the Fortezza project (in Italian, German, English).
Together with Manifesta 7, many Parallel Events take place throughout the two provinces: a selected program incorporating 48 events in South Tyrol and 50 in Trentino. This includes exhibitions, events, performances and concerts supported by many of the numerous institutions and associations that have made of this region into such a dynamic territory for contemporary art.
Manifesta 7 exhibitions are open to the public from 19 July to 2 November 2008, everyday from 10.00 am to 7 pm and on Friday from 10.00 to 9.00 pm.
Free entry for children and teenagers under 18, students, disabled people and seniors over 65.
Manifesta 7 Mobility Card is available; it is valid on 4 days within the period of 17 July and 2 November 2008 and includes entrance ticket to the exhibitions and transport on regional rail and on city buses leading to the venues.
Manifesta 7 is supported by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and Trento and by the International Foundation Manifesta.
Manifesta 7 main sponsors are Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano/Stiftung Südtiroler Sparkasse, Unicredit, Seat Pagine Gialle, Zumtobel.
All exhibition venues open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.
Official Opening:
19 July, 2008.
Press and Professional Preview:
17 and 18 July, 2008.
Further information:
Manifesta 7
T: +39 0471 414 980 (Office Bolzano)
T: +39 0461 493 670 (Office Trento)
mailto:info@manifesta7.it
www.manifesta7.it
