The
2009 Texas Biennial is the third of its kind
since it’s inception in 2005. With each exhibition,
the Biennial project has provided a fresh perspective on the
scope of Texas contemporary art. The originators of the Texas
Biennial have succeeded in culminating an initiative that voices
the distinctive diversity of art making in Texas. We are pleased
to announce the launch of the first phase of our newest restructured
edition. In the same independent spirit as years past, the
2009 Texas Biennial will encourage conversations amongst artists,
curators, writers and art lovers alike. This effort will ultimately
spark a dialogue that will echo throughout the run of the 3rd
biennial exhibition and beyond. As an independent survey of
contemporary
art in Texas, the 2009 Biennial is excited to use this opportunity
to investigate current art making in Texas and promote the
incredible innovation that lies within our great state.
For 2009, the Texas Biennial has adopted a new structure that we
hope will give this event the direction, voice, and sustainability
it needs to ensure it remains an important part of the Texas art
landscape. This new structure does not abolish, but rather builds
upon the open-submission group show format of 2005 and 2007. While
the 2009 Biennial will retain a group
exhibition selected from
open submissions, there will be the added component of four, more
focused,
solo exhibitions awarded to four individuals representing North,
South, East, and West. These more focused exhibitions
will solidify the geographical weight of each region. The third
part of our 2009 structure is
the new collaboration with Austin’s Art
in Public Places,
program that affords the Texas Biennial the opportunity to include
temporary outdoor projects.
In the past, the Texas Biennial’s participants have been
picked by groups of jurors, leaving the selections to majority
rule. While the results showcased
a wide variety of media and delivered a nice overall cross-section of Texas
work, it also left the shows without a unified statement that
is needed for such a
grand undertaking. In 2009, for the first time since its outset, the exhibitions
will be under the direct control of a sole juror strengthening the impact of
the whole project. We are pleased to announce that critic and independent curator, Michael Duncan, will be joining us for our 2009 edition as juror and curator
for both the group and solo exhibitions. The chosen works and the ultimate awarding
of funds for the Art in Public Places temporary outdoor
projects will be a shared
review process between Risa Puleo, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the
Blanton Museum of Art and Art in Public Places panel member and Michael Duncan.
Potential sites for the temporary outdoor project include, Town Lake Metropolitan
Park at Auditorium Shores, the Mexican American Cultural Center grounds, and
Fiesta Gardens. This inventive utilization of ordinary outdoor space will create
a unique partnership between the City of Austin and the Texas Biennial.
In addition to collaborating with the City of Austin, the 2009 Texas Biennial
will also be uniting forces with Austin galleries and museums to house our efforts.
Together with these spaces we will be collaborating on our educational programming
and special events to correspond with the varying exhibitions. The sites for
the 2009 group exhibition are Women and Their Work and the new gallery at the
Mexican American Cultural Center. The 4 regional solo exhibitions will be showcased
at Okay Mountain, Gallery Lombardi, MASS Gallery, and Big
Medium.
It is our hope that this fresh structure with new partners will expand upon the
ambitious foundation of previous Biennials to create innovative, challenging,
and now more focused projects for years to come.
Executive Director
Xochi Solis
Board of Directors
Jon Lawrence
Shea Little
Joseph Phillips
Jana Swec
Promotional Advisor
Rachel Koper
Volunteer Coordination
Anthony Romero
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