08/06/2023
The biennal of textile art BIEN, which focuses on sustainability, heritage and conservation, moved this month from Gorenjska to Primorska, more precisely from Kranj to Nova Gorica. The exhibition "The Sun" will be on display at the Xcenter until 15 June, followed by the opening of the exhibition of the same name at the Gallery Gong in Nova Gorica on 28 June. The exhibition at Xcenter focuses on the intertwining of technology with contemporary artistic practises. The works are exhibited by first-year students of the School of Arts at the University of Nova Gorica who participated in workshops in electronic art organised by the Carnica Institute, which is organising the biennal together with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering at the University of Ljubljana and the Faculty of Design, an associate member of the University of Primorska. The BIEN project was conceived at the time of Kranj's candidacy for the European Capital of Culture 2025, and its mission is also close to our winning city - a joint project called Ecothreads and BIEN has been created to raise awareness about the circular economy, cultural heritage and environmental issues. In addition to linking the two Slovenian cities that have bid for the title of ECOC 2025, it is also about linking local spaces, as the exhibition will be installed in two institutions in Nova Gorica. The inter-regional art event BIEN 2023, with more than 100 artists and collectives, as well as solo and group projects by faculties, is also being presented in Škofja Loka and Jesenice, in addition to Kranj and Nova Gorica. The exhibitions, events and workshops are linked by the common theme of the sun: »Let the biennal exhibitions be both an inspiration and a warning. Its art projects explore the dangers brought on by the growing environmental and climate crisis, while also emphasizing the pleasant qualities of warmth, growth, and support emanating from our brightest star, the only one we see during the day. Growth and degrowth, as ultimate consequences of our ambivalent relationship with the Sun, are at the forefront of these exhibition projects, workshops, talks, and events. Let it shine.«
