Introduction

Bergen Assembly is a triennial of contemporary art in Bergen, Norway, distinguished by its experimental approach to the biennial format and its emphasis on research-based artistic practices. Established in 2013 following the recommendations of a think tank on biennial models, it was conceived as a critical response to the proliferation of biennials worldwide and the perceived limitations of conventional exhibition formats.

Rather than simply presenting another international art exhibition, Bergen Assembly operates as a platform for artistic research, critical reflection, and community engagement that unfolds over extended time periods. It emphasizes process over product, collaboration over spectacle, and critical discourse over market-driven concerns. Through this distinctive approach, Bergen Assembly has established itself as an important site for reimagining the relationship between contemporary art, institutions, and audiences.

Narrative & Themes

Each edition of Bergen Assembly is developed through a distinct curatorial approach, often by multiple conveners working collectively or in parallel. This model challenges conventional notions of singular curatorial authority and creates space for diverse methodologies and perspectives. Recent editions have explored themes such as institutional critique, forms of collective organization, artistic research as knowledge production, and the politics of assembly in contemporary society.

The triennial consistently emphasizes slow, research-driven processes that extend beyond the exhibition moment. Many projects evolve over months or years, involving multiple public iterations, workshops, publications, and community collaborations. This temporal expansion creates opportunities for deeper engagement with complex ideas while resisting the event-driven logic that characterizes many international art exhibitions.

Bergen Assembly is particularly attentive to the local context of Bergen, a city with a rich cultural history and distinctive position within Nordic art landscapes. While maintaining international scope, the triennial creates meaningful connections with local communities, histories, and institutions, exploring how global concerns manifest in specific geographical and cultural contexts.

History & Context

Bergen Assembly emerged from a process of critical reflection initiated by the city of Bergen in 2007-2009. Responding to international interest in establishing a biennial in Bergen, the municipality first convened the Bergen Biennial Conference in 2009, bringing together international curators, artists, and scholars to discuss the potentials and limitations of the biennial format. This was followed by the publication of "The Biennial Reader," a comprehensive anthology examining biennial culture worldwide.

Based on these discussions, a new model was proposed that would critically engage with the proliferation of biennials while creating a platform suited to Bergen's specific context. The inaugural Bergen Assembly was launched in 2013 under the artistic direction of Ekaterina Degot and David Riff, with subsequent editions further developing its experimental approach to exhibition-making and institutional structure.

Exhibition Venues

Bergen Assembly unfolds across multiple venues throughout the city, including established cultural institutions, historic buildings, public spaces, and sometimes unexpected locations. Key recurring venues include Bergen Kunsthall, KODE Art Museums, Hordaland kunstsenter, and Entrée, alongside temporary spaces and site-specific interventions that respond to Bergen's urban and natural environments.

This distributed exhibition model encourages exploration of the city while creating diverse contexts for artistic presentation. It also reflects the triennial's commitment to collaboration with local institutions and communities, creating a platform that connects existing cultural infrastructures rather than establishing parallel structures. By working with and through these various spaces, Bergen Assembly creates a complex cultural ecosystem that extends beyond conventional exhibition formats.