SB9: Provisions for the Future | Past of the Coming Days

19.03.2009 – 16.05.2009
Group Exhibition

Sharjah Biennial 9
Sharjah, UAE

For the 9th edition of the Sharjah Biennial, the usual curatorial process was expanded. The organizers sought to "transcend central themes and pre-cast frameworks, exhibiting instead a wide range of works selected by open invitation." Through public submission calls of the Sharjah Biennial Production Program, all interested artists and nonartists alike were able to send in proposals for new art projects, which were considered for selection for the Biennial and, in the case of a positive decision, produced by the organizers.

The Sharjah Biennial 9 comprised three main components. The main exhibition entitled Provisions for the Future, curated by Isabel Carlos, considered the notion of the pursuit of happiness as the main motivation for humanity to dislocate itself from one place to another. In this dislocation notions of utopia and future play a major role: a future that is frequently fictionalized through fantasy, narratives or chimerical promises. Hence Sharjah Biennial 9 proposed a pause for reflection and taking stock of the challenges we face, for what we produce now will be our own provision for the future.

The second component was the Performance and Film Programme entitled Past of the Coming Days curated by Tarek Abu El Fetouh. It attempted to explore the post-medium and post-disciplinary tendencies emanating from the seams traditionally separating graphic design, folkloric arts, dance, classical theatre and contemporary art.

SB9 Main Exhibition: Provisions for the Future
Curator: Isabel Carlos

Film & Performance: Past of the Coming Days
Curator: Tarek Abou El Fetouh