The second edition of the Bihar Museum Biennale will be inaugurated on August 7 at the Bihar Museum in Patna. Organized by the Department of Arts, Culture and Youth affairs, Government of Bihar, The Museum Biennale aims to sensitize the public to the importance and significance of a museum culture in India and facilitate an understanding of our culture, building a strong sense of identity, nationhood and the self.
August 7 is going to an eventful day at the grand Bihar Museum. Three events will be coinciding that day: the second edition of the Bihar Museum Biennale 2023, which will witness a slew of Indian and international museums showcasing their work across four days of symposiums; the Together We Art exhibition, which will spotlight artists from G20 countries along the theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’; and finally, the foundation day of the museum itself, which first opened its doors to the public in 2015.
In his role as Director General of Bihar Museum, Shri Anjani Kumar Singh (Advisor to the Chief Minister, Bihar) has announced the highly anticipated second edition of the Bihar Museum Biennale. Promising a transformative experience, this new iteration aims to surpass its predecessor, presenting a better-enriched form with the aim of connecting people, connecting cultures, and interrogating museums. With a broadened scope of programming, the grand event will commence with the prestigious G20 exhibition, catapulting the biennale onto the global stage of artistic excellence.
Dr. Alka Pande, art historian and curator, served as the Project Lead of Bihar Museum Biennale Edition 1, successfully spearheading the inaugural edition of this prestigious event has continued her visionary journey as the chief curator for its highly anticipated 2nd Edition.
As a curtain raiser, from June 22nd to July 21st, the museum is presenting two exhibitions: Brasilia 60+, which captures the unique character of the capital city of Brazil as the country celebrates 200 years of independence, and Nature Strikes Back, a photo exhibit by French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain that invites visitors to explore the darker side of nature.
Nature Strikes Back : Photographs by Emmanuel Lenain (Photographer and Ambassador of France to India)
Throughout history, nature has been celebrated by poets, writers, and painters for its lush and fertile landscapes. However, Lenain's lens captures a different narrative, focusing on the ravages of time and the impact of human intervention on the natural habitat. While documenting the deterioration of the environment, the haunting beauty of his images captivates viewers, inviting them to contemplate the intricate balance between man and nature. The exhibition features a series of evocative black and white photographs, each offering a unique perspective on the decaying remnants of our environment.
Dr. Alka Pande, the Curatorial Advisor of the exhibition, remarks on the profound impact of Lenain's work. "Lenain's photography transports us to a space where the lines between the Occident and the Oriental blur," she notes. "His images capture not only the fury and wrath of nature but also its inherent beauty."
Brasilia 60+ and the Construction of Modern Brazil - A photography exhibition that Celebrates 200 Years of Independence
Brasilia, an idea that emerged in the early 19th century, gained immense significance over time and was eventually inscribed in Brazil's constitution. In 1956, President Juscelino Kubitschek recognized this idea and selected Lucio Costa's urban plan, the "Plano Piloto," as the winning concept for the new capital. The renowned Brazilian modernist architect, Oscar Niemeyer, skillfully captured the inherent beauty of Brasilia by integrating Costa's meticulous urban layout with distinct buildings that exude functional, rhythmic structures, intricately designed facades, and minimalist, clean, and linear designs.
Through the lens of Leonardo Finotti, the exhibition showcases the artistic documentation of Brasilia, capturing its unique character, essence, and architectural intricacies. The exhibition features a mesmerizing collection of photographs that depict symbolic palaces such as the Parliament, the President's residence, the President's office, the Ministries, and a significant number of apartment buildings. These architectural marvels paved the way for the capital's transfer from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia in 1960, forever shaping the urban landscape of Brazil.
The Bihar Museum invites art enthusiasts, architecture aficionados, and history lovers to witness the grandeur and significance of Brasilia's construction through this unique photography exhibition.
Shri Anjani Kumar Singh, Director General of Bihar Museum, talking bout the forthcoming biennale said, "We promise a transformative experience as this new iteration aims to surpass its predecessor, presenting a better-enriched form to connect people, connect cultures, and interrogating museums. With a broadened scope of programming, the grand event will commence with the prestigious G20 exhibition, catapulting the biennale onto the global stage of artistic excellence."
