The BIG – Biennale exposes to the public the multiple ways of doing and existing specific to artistic and cultural structures that are outside market and institutional logics. Its two main objectives are to federate local art spaces and collectives and to make them (re)discover to the general public beyond their usual audiences. Historically and eternally installed in the public space, access to the BIG is always free, questioning the issues of art brought to the heart of the city and its power of inclusiveness.
In order to offer an alternative to the competition often in action in art circles, participation in the BIG is open, without selection or competition, to all art spaces and collectives in Greater Geneva. Since 2021, the BIG has chosen to work only with public subsidies, in the desire to open up a space for reflection on the place of private financing in Geneva.

5TH ISLAND BIENNIAL
ART SPACES IN GENEVA
For its 5th edition, the BIG – Insular Biennale of Geneva art spaces, opens at the Perle du Lac from June 23 to July 9, 2023, after six weeks of construction, to present the work of 87 art spaces and collectives of Greater Geneva!

More than a hundred artistic interventions unfold on land and water. In the park, the Port Village hosts the palafittes (shared exhibition spaces), the Scub (relaxation space), the land stage, the autonomous projects and a staircase and a pontoon linking the park to the banks. While on the lake, in the Archipelago, discover floating platforms and installations, the lake scene and collective boats.

The works presented are created for the event and cover the range of artistic panel ranging from visual arts to performing arts, through sound and performative interventions or even publications, workshops and concerts. Some projects are present throughout the Biennale, others occasional or recurring, all inscribed in a spirit of cohabitation.

In connection with its amphibious nature, the concept of this edition is driven by insularity. This notion aims here to highlight diversity, but also the gathering of art spaces and local collectives, scattered artistic islands forming together an archipelago. Inspired by the element of water, the Biennale aims to bring people together. La Perle du Lac then offers an idyllic, unexpected and very busy setting allowing the BIG to trigger a sudden and surprising encounter with the general public.

PROGRAM AND MORE INFOS