The Jerusalem Biennale
A stage for Contemporary Jewish Art
The Jerusalem Biennale 2017
Watershed
October 1 - November 16
Biennale 2017's title was Watershed. As a geological term, it examines water, like streams and rivers that split and converge. It can also be used as a metaphor to help us think about ourselves and the way we split and converge as individuals and groups. Both in Hebrew ("Kav Parashat Hamayim") and in English, Watershed is used to state a moment of important twist - an event that changed the course of history.
The Jerusalem Biennale took place for the 3rd time in 2017. The Biennale hosted 30 exhibitions and projects from all around the world: NYC, LA and Dallas; London, Paris, Saint Petersburg and Budapest; Sydney, New Delhi and Singapore; and of course, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Over 230 artists participated, with over 100 of those artists from abroad.
The Biennale's venues included the Tower of David Museum, The Bible Lands Museum, Hebrew Union College (The Skirball Museum), Polonsky Academy at the Van Leer Jerusalem Research Institute and more.
It is estimated that 30,000 people, through visitors and those exposed to the Biennale as part of their visit to one of the active museums that hosted the exhibitions, helped contribute to the number of visitors doubling relative to Biennale 2015.
The Biennale received widespread media coverage and 300 copies of the catalogue were printed.
A two-day conference, entitled “Watershed: Boundaries and Spaces in Contemporary Jewish Art,” was held in cooperation with the Van Leer Jerusalem Research Institute and the Inspire Education Program launched for the first time. Five hundred high school students, from Israel’s geographical and social periphery, visited the Biennale as part of this fully funded program.
Biennale 2017 Venues
