November 1–22, 2009
Performa 09, the third edition of the internationally acclaimed biennial of new visual art performance, will be held in New York City from November 1–22, 2009, showcasing new work by more than 150 of the world’s most exciting contemporary artists. Presentations will include 11 new Performa Commissions and, for the first time ever, a Performa Premieres program of 6 remarkable pieces that have never been seen in New York. For Performa 09’s opening benefit gala, renowned hostess, hotelier, food writer, and conceptualist Jennifer Rubell will present Creation, a unique dinner sure to be like nothing guests have ever experienced before.
Over its three week-run, Performa 09’s innovative program will break down the boundaries between visual art, music, dance, poetry, fashion, architecture, film, television, radio, graphic design, and the culinary arts, presenting over 110 events in collaboration with a consortium of more than 80 of the city’s leading arts institutions, 40 curators from around the world, and a network of public and private venues throughout the city.
“This promises to be an incredibly exciting Performa biennial,” says Performa Director RoseLee Goldberg, “with more Performa Commissions and Premieres than ever, and a program that mixes disciplines, media, and generations. It will link people and places across the boroughs and bring a broad cross-section of audiences together in a celebration of the extraordinary cultural capital that is New York City. Performa 09 will demonstrate that there is no such thing as an intellectual or creative recession.”