S Prakash Art Center previews Biwako Biennale in Shanghai

The new exhibition at S Prakash Art Center in downtown Shanghai offers a glimpse of the upcoming Biwako Biennale, which will take place around Lake Biwa in Shiga prefecture, Japan, from Sept 20 to Nov 16.

The preview exhibition in Shanghai will run through Sept 19, featuring installations, photographs, videos and more by four artists: Matsuura Kikoh, Ikehara Yuta, Chen Jianfei and Zhao Mengjia.

The Biwako Biennale is an art festival held every two years in the traditional buildings of the old town of Omihachiman in Shiga prefecture of Japan. Nakata Yoko, founder and chief-curator of the Biwako Biennale, said at the exhibition opening in Shanghai that after living abroad for years, she returned to her hometown Shiga and became concerned about the preservation of its rich history, culture and environment.

Inspired by European cities’ efforts to preserve their traditional culture and landscape while integrating new elements, she founded the Biwako Biennale in 2001.This year’s festival, themed Flux, highlights the concept of constant motion.

An unprecedented seven Chinese artists have been invited to participate. “We sincerely hope this pre-exhibition in Shanghai can further deepen artistic exchanges between Japan and China,” said Ambassador Masaru Okada, consul-general of Japan in Shanghai.

“We also hope that through the Shanghai preview exhibition, more Chinese friends will experience the unique charm of the main venue of the Biwako Biennale -- Omihachiman city, in Shiga prefecture, and visit Japan in person during the Biennale.”