The Biennial of Care

What do artistic projects leave behind and how to provide care for a sustainable after life?

What remains when large cultural events end? Events like festivals, and biennials often create countable outcomes such as new infrastructure, extended networks and broader audience. Organizers often speak of “legacy.” At the same time, cultural events often live from social engagement and participation by local communities and cultural actors. Effects of this work are less countable and tangible and easily overlooked. Our question is: What remains in terms of expectations, relationships, engagement? We call this “care.”

The Biennial of Care is a curatorial project at the intersection of art and qualitative research that explores the intangible, relational afterlife of large cultural events. We are focusing on Chemnitz after its year as European Capital of Culture in 2025. Our project is creative research, and an artistic act of care for each other. Together with people in Chemnitz, and in other host cities, we create a platform to share and exchange about demands and existing practices of care.