8 September – 17 October 2021 | Cheongju – The 2021 Cheongju Craft Biennale, the world’s first and the most significant event in the world of crafts and an international exhibition representing craft cities around the world will be held from September 8 to October 17 this year in the Culture Factory and nearby areas in Cheongju. Despite the Covid-19, it is expected that about 1,000 artists from 40 different countries are to participate in the 2021 Cheongju Craft Biennale.
Since its first edition in 1999, the event has introduced all genres of craft such as ceramics, woodcraft, textile and metalcraft of Korea and abroad every two years, inviting general public to the world of the contemporary craft. As the world’s highest level of craft biennale, the event attracts more than 3,000 artists from 60 countries, and 300,000 visitors attending each edition.
2021 THEME: TOOLS FOR CONVIVIALITY
The theme of 2021 Biennale, Tools for Conviviality, is inspired by a 1973 book by an Austrian philosopher Ivan Illich, and his radical critic on the world where tools dominate humans and the necessity to limit the growth of tools to restore humanity.
The Biennale will provide the artists and the general public with a window to ponder upon the notion of responsible use of tools to live in an emerging symbiotic society where humanity and tools forge a proper relationship.
COVID-19 AND THE BIENNALE
Given the circumstances of the pandemic, the Biennale will be conducted online and onsite, breaking away from the traditional large scale exhibition in a fixed location. Alongside the main exhibition, LAB, a collaborative competition guided by the field’s professionals is to be organised. Also, development of the Craft Experience Kit designed to enhance interaction between the exhibit works and the audiences is underway. With the Experience Kit, the Biennale Organising Committee plans to provide Biennale experience to the people of the disadvantaged communities who may not be able to visit the Biennale onsite.
MORE EVENTS WITH LOCAL CRAFTSMAN
The Cheongju Craft Biennale is a comprehensive gala of arts and craft. This year, the Biennale features the following events: Cheongju International Craft, Craft Fair, Invited Country Pavilion, Art Museum Project, Craft Camp, and Chungbuk Craft Workshop.
The online exhibition will be available on the official website (www.okcj.org) from September 8, 2021. For more information, please visit the official website, Facebook and Instagram (@craftbiennale).
