The Busan Biennale is a biannual international contemporary art show that integrated three different art events held in the city in 1998: the Busan Youth Biennale, the first biennale of Korea that was voluntarily organized by local artists in 1981; the Sea Art Festival, an environmental art festival launched in 1987 with the sea serving as a backdrop; and the Busan International Outdoor Sculpture Symposium that was first held in 1991. The biennale was previously called the Pusan International Contemporary Art Festival (PICAF) before it launched.

The biennale has its own unique attribute in that it was formed not out of any political logic or need but rather the pure force of local Busan artists¡¯ will and their voluntary participation. Even to this day their interest in Busan's culture and its experimental nature has been the key foundation for shaping the biennale¡¯s identity.

This biennale is the only one like it in the world that was established through an integration of three types of art events such as a Contemporary Art Exhibition, Sculpture Symposium, and Sea Art Festival. The Sculpture Symposium in particular was deemed to be a successful public art event, the results of which were installed throughout the city and dedicated to revitalizing cultural communication with citizens.

The networks formed through the event have assumed a crucial role in introducing and expanding domestic art overseas and leading the development of local culture for globalized cultural communication. Founded 36 years ago, the biennale aims to popularize contemporary art and achieve art in everyday life by providing a platform for interchanging experimental contemporary art.

Busan Biennale 2016
Theme Hybridizing Earth, Discussing Multitude
Period Sept. 3~Nov. 30, 2016(89 days, Busan Biennale 2016 is closed on every Monday.)
Venue Project 1 : Busan Museum of Art
Project 2 : F1963(KISWIRE Suyeong Factory)
Project 3 : Busan Museum of Art Seminar room, F1963 Square
Artistic Director Yun Cheagab(Director of the How Art Museum)
Project 1 Curator : GUO Xiaoyan(China)
SAWARAGI Noi, TATEHATA Akira, UEDA Yuzo (J-team, Japan)
KIM Chan dong(Korea)
Project 2 Curator : Yun Cheagab(Busan Biennale 2016 Artistic Director)
Project 3 : Busan Biennale Organizing Committee Planning & Academic Program
Artists·Artworks 316 artworks of 121 artists(team) from 23 countries
Composition Project 1, Project 2, Project 3
Host Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Biennale Organizing Committe
Supporter Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mondriaan fund, Arts Council Korea, Hakgojae Gallery, The Japan Foundation, Seoul Committee of Organization of Korea-France Year 2015-2016, Pro Helvetia, ARKO Creative Academy, NHN Ticketlink
Busan Biennale 2016 Google Art & Culture Online Exhibition

Busan Biennale 2016 Project 1
Theme an/other avant-garde china-japan-korea
Period Sept. 3~Nov. 30, 2016(89 days, Busan Biennale 2016 is closed on every Monday.)
Venue Busan Museum of Art
Curator China : Guo Xiaoyan(China)
Japan : Sawaragi Noi, Tatehata Akira, Ueda Yuzo (J-team)
Korea : KIM Chan dong
Artists·Artworks 148 artworks of 65 artists(team) from 3 countries


Busan Biennale Project 2
Theme Hybridizing Earth, Discussing Multitude
Period Sept. 3~Nov. 30, 2016(89 days, Busan Biennale 2016 is closed on every Monday.)
Venue F1963(KISWIRE Suyeong Factory)
Artistic Director Yun Cheagab(Director of the How Art Museum)
Artists·Artworks 168 artworks of 56 artists(team) from 23 countries
Busan Biennale 2016 Project 2 Exhibition Virtual Tour

Busan Biennale Project 3
Theme Hybridizing Earth, Discussing Multitude
Period Sept. 3~Nov. 30, 2016(89 days, Busan Biennale 2016 is closed on every Monday.)
Venue Busan Museum of Art Seminar room, F1963 Square
Organization International Academic Program, Warming-up Project, Education Program, Channel B