Once every two years the Biennial takes over Liverpool with a mass of local, national and international art that is spread across the city in a plethora of cultural, industrial and underground venues. Entering its seventh year, the Liverpool Biennial, rides the wave of contemporary international art, bringing it into the context of this northern port; a conceptual passageway of sorts for the exchange of ideas and the convergence of different cultures. This year, 42 international artists have been invited to create new work, including: musical composer Michael Nyman, Swiss conceptual artist Raphael Hefti, and the South Korean visual artist Koo Jeong A. Below is a small selection of some of the highlights from this year’s Biennial:
Watch: Newly commissioned art film 1922 – The Uncomputable at ABC Cinema
In the long-abandoned art-deco ABC cinema in Liverpool city centre, Paris-based artists Fabien Giraud and Raphaël Siboni will be showing their newly commissioned film 1922 – The Uncomputable as part of the The Unmanned series. This series of films presents a history of technology in reverse and 1922-The Uncomputable focuses on Lewis Fry Richardson’s historic attempt to build a giant weather forecast factory.
Times & dates TBC, ABC Cinema, Lime Street and Elliot Street, L1, www.biennial.com
New art showcase: Bloomberg New Contemporaries at the Bluecoat
Since 1949, Bloomberg New Contemporaries have provided a platform for artists graduating from British art schools. This year, the show which takes in video, sculpture, installation and more, is exhibited in a series of rooms around the Bluecoat, Liverpool’s Centre for Contemporary Art. Of particular note is Kate Fahey’s cloud image, Cumulative Loss, Jamie Fitzpatrick’s chattering, bulbous statue The King (pictured) as well as enthralling film work by Maryam Tafakory. The Bluecoat also offers respite from the commercial whirl of the Liverpool One shopping centre which it has been partially swallowed by. The cafe and shop are the perfect space to mull over work just seen.
Sat 9 Jul – Sun 16 Oct, Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3BX, times vary, FREE, www.biennial.com
New painting: John Moore Painting Prize at Walker Art Gallery
The grand, Victorian-era Walker Art Gallery has given over its first floor to a retrospective of previous JM Painting Prizer winners, including David Hockney, and work shortlisted for the 2016 prize. There’s a separate section dedicated to the new John Moore Painting Prize China. In all the exhibitions, winners are not clearly marked, so it’s possible to stroll around, trying to work out who has won and if you agree with the judging panel – or simply take this chance to enjoy the diversity in painting on a grand scale.
Until Sun 27 Nov, Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EL. Tel: 0151 478 4199, times vary, FREE, www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Take a trip on Sir Peter Blake’s Dazzle Ferry
Last year, Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool and 14-18 NOW commissioned the British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake, to decorate a Mersey passenger ferry (Snowdrop) with his eye-catching design Everybody Razzle Dazzle. Coming back this year, visitors on the ferry will be able to benefit from educational resources, online commissions by artists and writers and opportunities to participate in the project.
For details of the ferry tours: www.merseyferries.co.uk
Have a go: Evertro Glow-in-the-dark skatepark designed by Koo Jeong A
South Korean artist Koo Jeong A designed the UK’s first glow-in-the-dark wheels park, Evertro, which is co-commissioned by the Liverpool Biennial. The permanent skate park opened in October 2015, and is free to skaters, BMX bikers and the general public.
Now open, Everton Park, Prince Edwin Street, Liverpool L5 3NG, www.biennial.com
Sat 9 Jul-Sun 16 Oct (Sun 27 Nov at the Walker), various times, free, www.biennial.com
- Words:
- Daisy Kidd
- Published on:
- Tue 11 Oct 2016
