The Biennial of Utopias Luis Camnitzer

At its inception in 1984, the Havana Biennial was a pioneering forum dedicated to international contemporary art beyond the mainstream centres. Inaugurated under the mandate to present work by artists from ‘Third World’ countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America, it foretold some of the most pertinent trends and issues that characterise the presentation and circulation of contemporary art today.

In this lecture, influential artist and writer Luis Camnitzer discusses early editions of the Havana Biennial examining its objectives as well as the artists and work included.

Born in Germany in 1937, Camnitzer immigrated to Uruguay in 1939. Living in New York since 1964, he is both a conceptual artist and one of the most significant voices in criticism and theory dealing with contemporary art from Latin America. His publications include New Art of Cuba (University of Texas Press, 1994) and Didactics of Liberation: Conceptualist Art in Latin America (University of Texas Press, 2007).

This lecture is presented as part of the States of Exchange exhibition, screenings and public programme.

Bibliography from Stuart Hall Library

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