The Game is On: Cuenca's \"Bienal de Bienales\" Celebrates 40 Years with a Revolutionary Approach

For four decades, the Cuenca Biennial has been a cornerstone of the international art scene. Founded in 1987 by local artist Eudoxia Estrella, the event has grown from a painting competition into one of Latin America's most important contemporary art exhibitions. Now, as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Biennial is once again reinventing itself with a groundbreaking new edition titled "The Game: Bienal de Bienales."

Set to transform the city from October 24, 2025, to February 1, 2026, "The Game" is not just another art exhibition. It's a radical experiment in curatorial practice, bringing together 17 of the most respected curators from the Hispanic-American world to create a "Biennial of Biennials." This unprecedented model has already captured the attention of specialized art magazines across Europe and America.

So, what exactly is a "Bienal de Bienales"? Hernán Pacurucu, the executive director of the Biennial, explains the revolutionary concept: "Usually, a biennial works with a single general curator, but here we have brought together 17 of the most important curators from the Hispanic-American sphere. Each one directs a micro-curatorship with three artists: one Ecuadorian and two foreigners. Nothing like this has ever been tried before."

This innovative structure turns the Biennial into a dynamic interplay of curatorial visions, where 17 distinct exhibitions will enter into a dialogue—and a friendly competition. At the end of the event, a prize of $30,000 will be awarded to the best curatorship, to be shared between the curator and the participating artists.

True to its mission of breaking down the walls between art and the public, "The Game" will unfold across 23 venues, including 13 official sites and 10 alternative spaces. The city itself will become a canvas, with exhibitions housed in a diverse range of locations, from prestigious museums to historic homes and contemporary galleries. The official venues include:

• Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno

• Casa Patrimonial de la Lira

• Casa Patrimonial de las Posadas

• Casa Márquez

• Antigua Escuela Central

• Galería de la Alcaldía

• Museo de las Conceptas

• Galería Off

• Epicentro cultural

• Museo de los Metales

But the art won't be confined to the city center. Through the "Bienal de Puertas Abiertas" (Open Doors Biennial) project, contemporary art will also travel to rural parishes and educational communities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage with the event.

"The Game" will feature a truly international lineup of talent, with 53 artists from around the world, including 20 Ecuadorian artists selected through a public call for entries. The 17 curators hail from countries such as Spain, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, each bringing their unique perspective to the event.

One of the participating curators is the renowned Santiago Rueda Fajardo from Colombia, who has curated over a hundred exhibitions in America and Europe. His proposal for the Biennial, titled "Let's Hope the Dollar Doesn't Skyrocket," is a reflection on the region's economic dependencies and the symbolic exchanges that traverse the continent. Among the artists in his selection are the Colombian Fernando García, the Australian Emma Anna, and the Ecuadorians Teo Monsalve and X Andrade.

Another heavyweight curator is Ticio Escobar from Paraguay, a former Minister of Culture and a leading figure in the Latin American art world. His exhibition will be hosted at the Galería Off, which is already preparing to welcome a diverse audience.

"The Game" will feature a truly international lineup of talent, with 53 artists from around the world, including 20 Ecuadorian artists selected through a public call for entries. The 17 curators hail from countries such as Spain, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, each bringing their unique perspective to the event.

One of the participating curators is the renowned Santiago Rueda Fajardo from Colombia, who has curated over a hundred exhibitions in America and Europe. His proposal for the Biennial, titled "Let's Hope the Dollar Doesn't Skyrocket," is a reflection on the region's economic dependencies and the symbolic exchanges that traverse the continent. Among the artists in his selection are the Colombian Fernando García, the Australian Emma Anna, and the Ecuadorians Teo Monsalve and X Andrade.

Another heavyweight curator is Ticio Escobar from Paraguay, a former Minister of Culture and a leading figure in the Latin American art world. His exhibition will be hosted at the Galería Off, which is already preparing to welcome a diverse audience.