The art biennial as a hyper-object

This chapter introduces a theoretical framework for interpreting art biennials using Object-oriented ontology (OOO), a speculative-realist philosophy that asserts equal status for all objects, regardless of their human or nonhuman, animate or inanimate nature. Art biennials are conceptualized as hyper-objects and examined as complex assemblages comprising artworks, artists, curators, audiences, and the physical spaces they inhabit. Through the perspective of OOO, these entities interact within the biennial context, transforming conventional relationships and generating new conceptual spaces for art interpretation. This framework positions artworks as autonomous entities that both influence and are influenced by their spatial surroundings and other entities. The curator’s function shifts from a dominant role to that of a mediator, facilitating interactions among diverse entities. Audiences are reconceptualized as active participants rather than passive recipients within this network. Applying OOO to art biennials challenges the anthropocentric bias prevalent in art criticism and interpretation. Granting equal ontological status to nonhuman entities enables a more comprehensive understanding of the ecological, social, and material contexts in which art operates.