Exploring the 2025 Bienal de São Paulo: A Celebration of Humanity Through Art

The 2025 Bienal de São Paulo, running through January 11, is a significant cultural event that invites visitors to engage with the concept of humanity as an active practice rather than a static state. Curated by Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, the exhibition titled “Not All Travelers Walk Roads” features over 1,200 works from 125 artists and collectives. The focus is on creating new, kinder, and more just forms of existence, moving beyond traditional themes of identity politics, diversity, and migration.

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The Bienal showcases a diverse array of artworks that address pressing global issues such as war, poverty, and inequality while maintaining an optimistic and beautiful aesthetic. Notable pieces include a photographic series by Akinbode Akinbiyi, which captures the essence of São Paulo's people, and a striking chandelier-like robotic flower by Laure Prouvost. This installation harmonizes technology with nature, opening and closing in response to the growth sounds of a live plant, symbolizing a dialogue between the natural and artificial worlds.

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The Bienal de São Paulo is the largest art biennial in the southern hemisphere, typically attracting nearly 700,000 visitors, rivaling the Venice Biennale. The event is hosted in a pavilion designed by Brazilian architects Oscar Niemeyer and Hélio Uchôa, featuring 323,000 square feet of exhibition space. The current layout incorporates flowing curtains and enclosures, transforming the space into a dynamic waterway that encourages exploration and interaction.

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Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung emphasizes the Bienal's aim to highlight "the adamant beauty of the world," suggesting that the exhibition seeks to inspire visitors to envision a more hopeful future. The curatorial approach reflects a desire to foster dialogue and connection among diverse audiences through art.

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While the Bienal has been praised for its ambitious themes and aesthetic appeal, some critics argue that the focus on beauty may overshadow the urgency of the social issues addressed in the artworks. Detractors suggest that a balance must be struck between aesthetic enjoyment and the critical engagement with the realities of war, poverty, and inequality.

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As the Bienal continues until January 11, 2025, it is expected to generate discussions around the role of art in addressing societal challenges and the importance of fostering a sense of community through shared cultural experiences. The event will likely influence future exhibitions and artistic practices in Brazil and beyond.

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• “the adamant beauty of the world.” — Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Chief Curator

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The 2025 Bienal de São Paulo stands as a testament to the power of art to provoke thought, inspire change, and celebrate the complexities of human existence.

New York Times