The theme of the Wuhan Biennale2024,Urban Fluidi- ty, resonates with the 2022 theme of Communication Through Art, fostering a deeper connection between Wuhan's cultural fabric and urban temperament. It in- terprets Wuhan's hydrological characteristics and contemporary cultural attributes through the con- cepts of "flow" and "flux". This embodies the conti- nuity and progression of the Wuhan Biennale in terms of cultural focus and academic distinctiveness.In the dawn of a new epoch, Wuhan, which stands as a beacon of Central China's ascendancy and a corner- stone within the Yangtze River's economic and cul- tural belt, vividly exemplifes a thriving vitality. The urban tapestry of this metropolis unfolds daily, where residential hubs harmonise seamlessly with natural vistas, traditional mores intertwine gracefully with burgeoning cultural enterprises, and the essence of Chinese culture engages in a robust dialogue with global civilisations, collectively manifesting a sprawl- ing and novel urban fluidity.This Biennale aims to elu- cidate and explore the dynamic signifcance of "flux" in urban transitions and changes. In essence, the cul- tural attributes of "flow" and "mobility" are common characteristics of urban transformation and iteration in many international cities, a process still ongoing. Within the trajectory of Chinese modernisation, Wuhan, as a major metropolitan hub, stands out rep- resentatively for interpreting the liquidity of culture and the fluidity of the city from an artistic perspec- tive.
This Biennale unfolds its visual narratives through five dimensions: Tracing Cultural Roots, Intersection of Borders, Encounter with Shimmers,Future Coding, and Symbiosis, showcasing the artists' cultural con- cerns and artistic expressions concerning the signif- cant characteristics of contemporary societal trans- formation. Perceptions and experiences derived from various aspects such as urban history, ecological en- vironment, and daily life constitute the Biennale's ho- listic atmosphere in resonance with societal rhythms.Though differing in linguistic expressions, the exhibits all carry the vibrancy and complexity of life, imbued with the era's unique imagery, humour, co- lours, and textures. Contemporary art transcends tra- ditional disciplinary boundaries and inherent forms through fusion and innovation, enabling artistic lan- guage to manifest in diverse expressions with its own fluidity.From the mixing of media to the expansion of materials and from the application of digital technol- ogy to the involvement of artificial intelligence, the- exhibitedworks reflect a profound transformation in contemporary artistic concepts and modes of ex- pression. Compared to the previous edition, this Bi- ennale highlights vitality through the convergence of technology and art, particularly demonstrating the synchronised development of Chinese and global art in the profound associations between individuality and sociability, academia and culture.
Urban Fluidity: Wuhan Biennale 2024
Chief curator: Fan Di'an
Chief co-curator: Zhang Zikang
Exhibition director: Chen Yongjin
