Preparations for Imagining the Book II Biennale
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Alexandria, 28 February 2005—The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) Arts Center is currently preparing for Imagining the Book II Biennale, which will be held in April 2005, with the theme of "Above, Below & in the Sahara Desert".
This theme stems from an aim to further artistic research regarding the Sahara desert, which for centuries was turned to for inspiration, by art of all kinds. Discovering that the desert carried more than just symbolic and poetic meaning—its cultural, geo-political and historical implications remain on the contemporary artistic agenda.
The Imagining the Book II presents an attempt at addressing issues of personal, national and collective identity by creating a multicultural environment where such issues can be interpreted visually and conceptually.
Imagining the Book II Biennale is comprised of three main activities, the exhibition itself; an international workshop; and an international seminar. All of the activities will be held on the Bibliotheca Alexandrina"s premises.
The event will include participation by African and international artists, to promote the intermingling of cultures, personal impressions and socio-political expression. Various artistic practices will be attempted to convey the conceptual essence of the book through visual representations that take on many artistic formats (Sculpture, Installation, Video, etc).
The 1st Imagining the Book exhibition was organized at BA in 2002. Its success was the main cause for bringing about the decision by BA to turn the exhibition into a Biennale that will be organized every two years at the Library of Alexandria. Imagining the Book I aimed at presenting the book as a concept, as opposed to an object.