Biennale International Competition ... It was at the site of the 4th Biennale Competitions for Contemporary Artists that Rubin John Anderson of the U.S.A. presented his "VEIL OF APPEARANCE," shown below. It is an oil measuring 80" x 60"
In total, December 2003's exhibit featured 890 artists from 72 nations. They well illustrated Kofi Annan's statement at the United Nations. . .
"Artists have a special role to play in the global struggle for peace. At their best, artists speak not only to people; they speak for them. Art is a weapon against ignorance and hatred...."
Scheduled Presentation '05 ...Internationally renown, Christo & Jeanne-Claude presented a projection on their work at the upcoming Biennale of Contemporary Art: see their photo, center below. They displayed their latest work last February in New York, titled "The Gates." When asked for the meaning of this work, Christo and Jeanne-Claude responded that its meaning would be found by those who walked through it. During its exhibition in New York's Central Park, there were many who did walk through it: see second below.
At the conclusion of their presentation, Pasquale Celona, President of the Biennale, presented them with the Premio Lorenzo il Magnifico Lifetime Career Achievement award.
The 6th Biennale
The 6th edition of the Florence Biennale takes place again in the historical Fortezza de Basso.
The Biennale artists come from all over the world, and despite their differences of language and faith, they find a common language in art to communicate with each other their cultural values. For this reason, in 2001, the United Nations recognized the Florence Biennale as an official partner in the program of "Dialogue Among Nations."
The competition 2005 was under the direction of John T. Spike. Artists from 70+ countries will gather and exhibit something over 2500 works.
The International Jury includes critics Barbara Rose, R. B. Bhaskaran, and Julian Zugozagoitia.
In the coming 2007 sessions, the Biennale will again convene and encompass art from among the many nations, cultures, heritages.