This year’s edition, “Does the flower hear the bee?,” turns the Power Station of Art into a garden-like space of listening and connection.
Listening as a Mode of Understanding
The Biennale centers on subtle interactions between different life forms, from flowers sensing bees to humans engaging with their environment. Chief Curator Kitty Scott emphasizes the importance of tactile, immersive experiences that invite visitors to slow down and engage with the exhibition’s diverse array of artworks. Curators and designers collaborated with artists, musicians, scientists, and poets to create an expansive exploration of relational and nonhuman intelligence.
Space and Experience
Designed by Rachaporn Choochuey, the Biennale’s layout encourages wandering rather than a prescribed path. Suspended installations like Allora & Calzadilla’s Graft (Phantom Tree) contrast with PSA’s industrial architecture, while upcycled concrete blocks offer new vantage points for viewers. Visitors are invited to inhabit the space as an active participant, shaping their own rhythm and perception as they engage with the works.
Extending Beyond the Museum
The Biennale’s reach extends into Shanghai’s urban environment with City Projects that include works by Theaster Gates, Rirkrit Tiravanija, and Ami Yamasaki. By integrating natural and architectural elements, these projects reinforce the dialogue between humans, nonhumans, and the environment. Through immersive installations, performances, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the Biennale encourages visitors to expand their senses, attune to other forms of life, and imagine new possibilities for coexistence.
