Since the 1990s large-scale exhibition, festivals and biennials have been linked to the proliferation of globalized cultural consumption and production, city tourism and/or regeneration and marketing aspirations. Though these projects often start with the best of intentions, they are many times followed by unfulfilled expectations, disappointment and failure. Katerina Gregos, who has many years of experience curating several large-scale exhibitions and biennials, will talk about the challenges and responsibilities underlying such endeavours, based on a case study of her most recent project, the 1st Riga Biennial, Everything Was Forever, Until it Was No More (2019) where she served as chief curator, in addition to helping to set up the biennial institution. How does one take into consideration the multiple factors, issues, expectations and sometimes conflicting interests that the organization of a large scale artistic project poses? What are the most important questions to consider when putting together such a project? In this talk Gregos will outline what she believes constitutes a best practices, sustainable model for stakeholders and audiences alike.
Keynote speech
Large scale exhibitions: From sustainability to best practices
Katerina Gregos