The Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts is one of the oldest international biennial events in the world, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025. The event was founded by the former director of the Museum of Modern Art, Zoran Kržišnik. It placed Slovenian visual art within an international context and connected both local and international audiences with a broad network of artists. From its earliest editions, the biennial featured artists from various countries—from both East and West, as well as from the Global North and South. The Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts was first held in 1955 and continued without interruption under the organization and within the premises of Moderna galerija until 2015, consistently responding swiftly to developments in art and society. Since 1986, it has also been presented at the premises of the International Centre of Graphic Arts, which today organizes the event. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the biennale and its 36th edition, part of the Graphic Biennale is being presented in cooperation with Moderna galerija once again in its exhibition spaces.
This edition, under the artistic direction of renowned curator, lecturer and researcher Chus Martínez, refers to the oracle in the sense of the ancient term for a place where we meet the future. At the same time, the Biennale explores the power of imagination to renew our faith in freedom and solidarity.
On view at the Museum of Modern Art (MG+)
Before the MG+ entrance, we encounter an interactive installation by Kathrin Siegrist, and at the entrance, a work by Silvan Omerzu that symbolizes the freedom of poetic creation, along with puppets from the performances The Golden Fish and The Little Ball with Stripes by designer Ajša Pengov. Specifically for this space, artist Noor Abed has created an installation of a dancer (warrior) with a staff. Juan Pérez Agirregoikoa presents a monumental wall painting featuring diagrams with ironic meanings, while a short documentary film by Roman Khimei and Yarema Malashchuk tells a story of war, a child, and a robotic dog. The poetic work of artist Jane Jin Kaisen and the forest of guardians by Nohemí Pérez are deeply connected in message – they speak of the darkness of our times. The piece Island in the Sun by Derek Tumala explores our relationship with nature and imagination. Artist Aili Vint presents prints that revolve around cosmic cycles. The artwork of Mladen Stropnik evokes connection, empathy, and solidarity. This idea of unity is continued by Eduardo Navarro, who transforms into a seal and creates a unique empathetic community. In the auditorium, drawings by Manuela Morales Délano are on display, illustrating the performance of nature, as well as a film collage by Ema Kugler, who, through her distinctive surrealist language, explores personal and collective memory.
Other artists and participants
Sinzo Aanza, Gabriel Abrantes, Saelia Aparicio, Maria Arnal, Canan, Gabi Dao, Manca G. Renko, Grupa Ee, Miles Howard-Wilks, Joan Jonas, Nicole L’Huillier, Svetlana Makarovič, Ingo Niermann in Mayte Gómez Molina, Nohemí Pérez, Vesna in Eugen Petrešin, Maja Petrović-Šteger, Sadie Plant, Tarta Relena, Renata Salecl, Svetlana Slapšak, Olga Subirós, Takeshi Yasura
Colophon
Producer: International Centre of Graphic Arts (MGLC)
Co-producers: Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana, City Art Gallery Ljubljana, Museum of Modern Art (MG+MSUM)
Partners: Ljubljana Castle, National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia, Puppet Museum of the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre, TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, Schering Stiftung
Artistic Director and CEO of MGLC: Nevenka Šivavec
Head Manager and Deputy CEO of MGLC: Yasmín Martín Vodopivec
Artistic Director and Curator of the 36th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts: Chus Martínez
Assistant Curator: Ajda Ana Kocutar
Visual identity and graphic design of the 36th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts: Mina Fina, Ivian Kan Mujezinović / Grupa Ee
Architectural design of The Oracle exhibition: Olga Subirós
Head of Production and Coordinator of the 36th Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts: Matjaž Brulc
Biennale Publications: Vesna Česen Rošker, Gregor Dražil, Sanja Kejžar Kladnik, Blažka Kirm, Ajda Ana Kocutar, Chus Martínez, Yasmín Martín Vodopivec, Nevenka Šivavec, Lili Šturm
Production Consultant: Božidar Zrinski
MGLC Print Studio: Jakob Puh
Accompanying and Educational Programmes: Lili Šturm
Archival and Documentary Materials: Karla Železnik
Public Relations: Sanja Kejžar Kladnik
International Public Relations: Nicola Jeffs
Marketing: Petra Klučar
Fundraising: Chus Martínez, Dušan Dovč, Petra Klučar
Logistics Coordination: Dušan Dovč, Dijana Lukić, Boštjan Vidmar
