Listen back to a curator’s talk and discussion with international visiting curator John Tain (Hong Kong), who discusses his research and art interests as appointed Curator – Of Mountains and Seas, the third edition of The Lahore Biennale 2024, that focuses on ecology and sustainable futures. He will also discuss his previous work as Head of Research at Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong.

For this talk John Tain introduces the methodologies that informs the research and thinking behind the Biennale exhibition, that draws on Lahore’s history and the fabric of the city, to highlight vernacular and indigenous heritage as potent resources for imagining future sustainability. The biennale will showcase place-making by devoting a number of projects on The Mall, a historical centre for public expression and cultural activity. By actively implementing forms of solidarity between artists, thinkers, researchers, and the broader community, the biennale project highlights the issues caused by environmental degradation and how local climate, eco consciousness, archaeology and urban issues of Lahore’s city are increasingly global.  

This talk is presented at part of the new initiative IRELAND INVITES organised by IMMA, Hugh Lane Gallery and Culture Ireland.

Track Details: Ireland Invites: Curator Series with John Tain, recorded at IMMA on the 13th April 2024. 47 minutes.

About Speaker: 
John Tain joined Asia Art Archive (AAA, Hong Kong) as Head of Research in 2017, and prior to that, served as a curator for modern and contemporary collections at the Getty Research Institute (Los Angeles).

About Lahore Biennale:
The Lahore Biennale 03 opening on October 5, 2024 
The Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) announces that the opening of the third edition of the Lahore Biennale (LB03) has been set for Saturday, October 5th, 2024. Organised around the theme of ecologies and sustainable futures, the Biennale will present site-specific work that draws attention to issues caused by environmental degradation, but that also highlights vernacular and indigenous heritage as potent resources for imagining future sustainability. 

About Ireland Invites:
IMMA, Hugh Lane Gallery and Culture Ireland are delighted to announce a new 3-year pilot named IRELAND INVITES, aimed at showcasing Irish visual art to the international biennale circuit.

IRELAND INVITES seeks to enhance international exposure for Irish visual artists by hosting biennale curators to undertake visits to studio and art institutions in Ireland. During their visit curators will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of contemporary art practices in Ireland availing of the curatorial expertise of IMMA, Hugh Lane Gallery and Culture Ireland, who will facilitate research and create bespoke hosted trips for each visiting curator.

IRELAND INVITES: Curator Series with John Tain

IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. IMMA TALKS is an activated live programme of talks and events that opens up conversations around the core themes of our exhibition programme, and permanent IMMA Collection, bringing you deeper into the thinking and making of contemporary art.

For further information on IMMA TALKS please contact Sophie Byrne, Assistant Curator, Talks & Public Programmes, IMMA. Email sophie.byrne@imma.ie

IRELAND INVITES: Curator Series with John Tain

IMMA Ireland