INDEPENDENCIA: Cusco Art Biennial

José Carlos Ramos (Peru). “Bicentennial of Independence”. 170 x 360 cm. Mixed technique on canvas. 2019-2020. Photo by Eduardo Hirose. Part of the project “Paths of freedom: homage to José Carlos Ramos”, curated by Jorge Villacorta and Gabriela De Bernardi (Peru).

INDEPENDENCIA: CUSCO ART BIENNIAL (www.bienaldecusco.art) is an international art event, centered on visual arts but open to a wide range of artistic, academic and educational activities and to all kinds of interdisciplinary initiatives. INDEPENDENCIA promotes a critical thinking strategy, plurality of views and open dialogue. Its main purposes are to integrate art into society and create contact and collaboration networks between artists, institutions and the community. INDEPENDENCIA forms part of the International Biennial Association as an associate member.

Photo by Mario Curasi.

PATRONATO CULTURAL CUSCO (CUSCO CULTURAL BOARD) is the organizing institution of the INDEPENDENCIA Biennial. Patronato is a non-profit association focused on promoting culture in the city and region of Cusco, Peru. It is integrated by artists, curators, cultural managers and institutions that develop cultural activities in Cusco, among which are Alliance Française Cusco, the Italian Cultural Center of Cusco, the Bartolomé de Las Casas Center (with the Andean Photo Library / Fototeca Andina), the Educational Corporation Khipu, the Educational Association Pukllasunchis and the Cusco Photography Workshop.

Photo by Mario Curasi.

CONCEPT OF INDEPENDENCE. The project has taken the name “INDEPENDENCIA” because its first edition is held in the year of the commemoration of the political Independence of Peru, a milestone that induces a deep analysis of the achievements and shortcomings of today’s society as the sum and fruit of the historical process. At the same time, the present moment motivates us to explore the fundamental ideas of independence in its multiple facets and meanings: political, social, economic, spiritual, philosophical and cultural.

Photo by Mario Curasi.

FIRST EDITION OF THE BIENNIAL: THEME AND DATES. The theme of the first edition is the reflection on the Bicentennial of the Independence of Peru and Latin America, and the concept of independence in general, through different artistic languages, academic and educational initiatives. The Biennial has the Bicentennial Seal, awarded by the Special Bicentennial Project (PEB) of the Ministry of Culture of Peru. The event dates are August-December 2021 (extended till January 15).

FORMS OF PARTICIPATION. The INDEPENDENCIA Biennial contemplates the following three forms of participation:

• Artistic, academic and educational projects formulated and organized by the curators and member institutions of the Cusco Cultural Board.
• Invited artistic, academic and educational projects, presented by outside individuals and institutions, approved by the Cusco Cultural Board, whose conditions and details of participation are defined through conversations and exchange of opinions and ideas.
• Art works and projects, academic and educational activities, convened through a series of open public calls, aimed at institutions, artists and artistic groups.

FORMS OF PRESENTATION OF ART WORKS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. The INDEPENDENCIA Biennial had to restructure its initial plan in order to adapt to the new conditions due to the health emergency, which forced us to avoid all forms of presentation that would entail the face-to-face gathering of people (exhibitions in halls and museums, presentations of performing arts in theaters, academic events in auditoriums), giving place to the following two alternative options:

• Digital format: we use a web platform to present art works; communication through social networks; talks, conversations and other academic activities online.
• Art works and interventions in open spaces (public and private) with wide access to public, or in closed spaces with constant movement of people; as well as outdoor screenings.

This preference for non-conventional formats will not only counteract the negative effect of the pandemic on cultural life, but will also help bring art to a much wider audience. The Biennial’s website (www.bienaldecusco.art) currently features 44 projects.