Pune Biennale Foundation is an organization established to bring together art, architecture and design for enhancing visual aesthetics in Pune. The Foundation will work towards positioning Pune on the global art scenario by promoting local talent and creating a platform for artists to critically engage with public art and public spaces. The flagship activity of the Foundation will be the Pune Biennale which represents an inclusive movement that makes art more public and accessible, and creates a new space for appreciation and education about artistic traditions.

Objectives

– to provide an open platform for professionals related to art, design, architecture, and other cultural activities to exchange ideas regarding cultural development of the city;
– to establish contact between art related organizations and facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and expertise within a global network of similar organizations;
-to develop and implement the highest standards of art and cultural production;
-to support interdisciplinary research and production of knowledge related to contemporary art and exhibitions around the world;
-to diffuse knowledge and promote public awareness of different forms of art and celebrating their diversity.

The inaugural Pune Biennale took place in January 2013 around the theme of “Celebrating hills” and succeeded in bringing close to one lakh citizens to exhibitions and activities which were held over ten days at eight different venues across Pune. Initiated by Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Architecture, Pune, the emphasis in the 1st Pune Biennale was on making art more public and accessible in its all possible manifestations.

The theme of the Second Edition of Pune Biennale was “Heritage- Yours and Mine”. Taking place from 6- 15 February 2015, this edition took a multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach to emphasize ‘Heritage’ as a pressing concern in the world cultural map. In particular it aimed to restore, rehabilitate, and refine our combined cultural heritage in order to enhance our cultural identity.

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