Biennials and Memory: Expanding on Archival Practices

The International Biennial Association (IBA) presents a new online programme, the IBA Academy, dedicated to knowledge exchange, research and dialogue in the field of biennial organisation. We invite you to take part in the first module, which will take place on 9, 14 and 15 April 2026, and will explore biennials as sites of memory and knowledge creation.

Through a series of lectures and roundtable discussions, participants will connect academic research with institutional practice, reflect critically on the most significant themes in the world of biennials, and seek new research directions that, together with the IBA Research Committee, can be expanded into long-term focus areas of the Association.

The International Centre of Graphic Arts is an active member of the Association, and we are therefore delighted to invite you to the opening event, Biennials and Memory: Expanding on Archival Practices, which will take place in three parts: 9, 14 and 15 April 2026. Francesca Zanella, Guilherme Vieira, Gregor Dražil, Dusu Choi and Mi You will speak on the various dimensions of archiving and studying biennials, and the sessions will be moderated by Caroline Fucci, PhD researcher at the University of Leicester, who has played an instrumental role in shaping this module.

Programme:

First Module

Biennials and Memory: Expanding on Archival Practices

 

First Session: Learning

9 April 2026 (Thursday), 16.00 (CET/GMT+1)

Francesca Zanella, Associate Professor of History of Contemporary Art, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Guilherme Vieira, Head of the Wanda Svevo Historical Archive, Fundação Bienal de São Paulo

Gregor Dražil, PhD researcher, University of Ljubljana / International Centre of Graphic Arts (MGLC), Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts

You can register via Zoom at this link.

Second Session: Remembering

14 April 2026 (Tuesday), 9.30 (CET/GMT+1)

Dusu Choi, former Head of the Exhibitions Department, Gwangju Biennale

Mi You, Professor, University of Kassel / documenta Institut

You can register via Zoom at this link.

 

Third Session: Exchanging (roundtable)

15 April 2026 (Wednesday), 16.00 (CET/GMT+1)

You can register via Zoom at this link.