Dates 3rd July 2019 – 1st September 2019
Curators: Drorit Gur Arie/Israel, Yik Chow/Hongkong, Syowia Kyambi/Kenia, Toni Sant/Malta, Antka Hofmann, Andrea Hilger
OSTRALE Biennale
Venue
The second edition of the Biennale and the 12th OSTRALE will focus on the theme “ism.”
As part of the O19 Biennale, a decentralised exhibition will run from 11 June to 8 September 2019 across various cultural venues in Dresden, including the Dresden Foreigners’ Council e.V., Goethe-Institut Dresden, Memorial Bautzner Straße, Old Firestation Loschwitz (in collaboration with the Art and Culture Association Dresden), and art´SAP.
The concept of isms is often used to define ideologies, artistic movements, social constructs, and value systems. Created by humans, these "isms" often serve as both guiding frameworks and boundaries separating differing worldviews. In art, personal and collective perceptions are deeply entwined with current socio-political discourses—and increasingly, new media are challenging traditional limits and definitions. As the boundaries between digital reality and fiction continue to blur, historical isms are being revisited to reinforce, question, or reshape how we understand our values and the world around us.
The Biennale prompts reflection on urgent questions:
What is art? What can art do—and what should it be allowed to do?
Should we reconsider our beliefs and attitudes? Can “ism” serve not just as a label, but as a lens for discussion, a mindset, and a tool to direct artistic expression toward all facets of contemporary life?
From an international open call, the following artists were selected to represent Spazju Kreattiv at the OSTRALE Biennale O19 in Dresden:
- Alex Attard
- Austin Camilleri
- Darren Tanti
- Di Hu
- Enrique Tabone
- Lawrence Buttigieg
- Patrick Fenech
- Pierre Portelli
- Ryan Falzon
- Vince Briffa
Artist Statement
In-Between is a hybrid artwork that merges drawing, printing, and interactive projection. The piece invites the audience to alter the background—and thus the context—within which a reclining female figure is presented. This interaction is made possible through an onsite laptop equipped with custom software developed by Justin Azzopardi (Distoreality.com), allowing viewers to manipulate and edit the projected visuals in real time.
In doing so, the artwork physically embodies the ease with which perceived reality can be distorted and reshaped according to individual perspectives. The work gains a potentially controversial dimension if the source of images is opened to unrestricted internet content, which could turn it into a dangerous tool in the hands of irresponsible users—highlighting the broader risks of technology when misused.