Yuko Hasegawa named as the curator of Sharjah Biennial

Sharjah Art Foundation has announced Yuko Hasegawa as the curator of Sharjah Biennial 11 in March, 2013. Hasegawa is the chief curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo, and has previously worked as co-curator of the celebrated Sao Paolo Biennial (2010) and the 12th Venice Architectural Biennale (2010). The Sharjah Biennial typically draws together artistic talent from across the region and further afield, drawing crowds to an event that is entirely non-commercial and noted for its high-brow direction. She brings an interest in architectural theory and a selection of works that, she says, can reassess Eurocentrism in knowledge.“Sharjah is a place that encourages thinking and negotiating with others,” said Hasegawa. “My natural response to its dynamism is to produce a Biennial which asks questions through art, and creates a dialogue that liberates us from Eurocentrism, Globalism, and other relevant-isms. ”The curator of the Biennial was selected by Sheikha Hoor Al-Qasimi, president of Sharjah Art Foundation, following several meetings and discussions with Hasegawa in Tokyo. “Hasegawa has a distinguished career characterised by major curatorial projects,” said Sheikha Hoor, “notably in Eastern Asia and Latin America. “Her proposal for the 2013 Biennial reflects the long tradition of Sharjah as a place where the gathering of diverse communities encourages an exchange of ideas and knowledge.” Observers will be closely watching how Sharjah Biennial fares in its next outing, following the dismissal of long-time director Jack Persekian in March over the content of an artwork initially included in the event’s 10th edition.