As part  of the 1st World Biennial Forum, a special Biennial Representatives Meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 29 October 2012 in Gwangju.

The aim of the Biennial Representatives Meeting is to discuss common objectives for biennale organizations and their function in society for the first time in their 117 years history, and to jointly discuss the possibilities and modes of operating for Biennial Foundation, representing the professional interests of those who organize biennales of contemporary art worldwide.

Reflecting on to the importance of Gwangju in the South Korean democratization movement of the 1980s, it is the idea to bring the city’s past to bear upon contemporary democratic formations of local, national, and international alliances. With Gwangju’s history in mind, the Biennial Representatives Meeting aims to act as an opportunity for new kinds of relationships amongst a diverse constituency of socio-cultural and political agents. Goal is that a stronger biennale alliance will be founded in a spirit of collegiality, friendship, and equality. Biennale organizations from all regions in the world are invited to join this Meeting and to send their inputs to make this happen.

In order to make the Biennial Representatives Meeting democratic, biennial organizers are requested to send in their suggestions of issues to discuss. At the Biennial Representatives Meeting, the possibilities and benefits of collective and cooperative action will be assessed. For more information, please contact: Marieke van Hal, Director Biennial Foundation: mvh@biennialfoundation.org