Biennial Radar: The Bluecoat

From an immersive and emotive film, to fragile and ancient scrolls, the Blucoat's Biennial strand is as essential as it is eclectic.

Liverpool’s longest standing arts space, the Bluecoat is the civilised heart of Liverpool ONE (yes, it is in Liverpool ONE, but not what you’d call of it). Its stunning new extension is home to Biennial exhibits both powerful and delicate and, as far as tight-trousered critic Adrian Searle is concerned, it’s home to the Biennial’s most brilliant piece of all. We caught up with curator Sara Jayne Parsons…

What’s Happening?

As part of the Biennial’s exhibition “the Unexpected Guest” the Bluecoat is hosting five artists beginning with Dan Graham’s pavilion in the front courtyard, Jakob Kolding’s poster installation in the Vide, and installations by John Akomfrah, Sun Xun and Dora Garcia in the galleries

Why Should We Come?

The Biennial is a great opportunity to see a diverse selection contemporary art at one time in one city across a remarkable variety of venues

What Shouldn’t We Miss?

John Akomfrah’s film “The Unfinished Conversation” (described as Brilliant, and ‘worth the trip alone’ by Searle) and Dan Graham’s Pavilion.

Amazing Art Fact

Jakob Kolding is a dedicated LFC supporter and has been to several home games; Sun Xun runs his own animation studio in Beijing where he works with over 30 other artists

Any Special Dates?

Talk in the Bluecoat Gallery Saturday 22, 2pm, free (Bryan Biggs, Artistic Director and Sara-Jayne Parsons, Exhibitions Curator); Long Night Oct 19; Symposium November 10th: Reconstruction Work, a debate informed by the work of Stuart Hall, 2-5pm

Your Biennial in Seven Words

Challenging, provocative, energizing, art, international, surprising, unconventional.

Until November 25
The Bluecoat
School Lane
Liverpool