The third edition of the Jinan International Biennale, titled The Age of Human Wisdom, officially opened on 16 December 2024 in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Running until April 2025, the exhibition is being held simultaneously at the Shandong Art Museum and Jinan Art Museum, bringing together a global array of contemporary artworks that explore the intersections of technology, society, and artistic practice.
This year’s Biennale explores the significant impact of emerging technologies on both artistic creation and daily life. The theme, The Age of Human Wisdom, focuses on how technological advancements are reshaping human understanding and artistic expression. Featuring 291 works from 215 artists across 21 countries and regions, the exhibition provides a diverse and thought-provoking look at the ways in which new technologies are influencing modern art.
Among the participating countries are China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy, showcasing a rich variety of cultural perspectives. The exhibition is divided into 13 thematic sections, each addressing different aspects of contemporary art in relation to technological progress. Sections such as Ink as a Method, Art as Performance, and Human Experiments that Reshape Perception encourage visitors to reflect on the evolving role of art in a technology-driven world.
The range of art forms on display is equally varied, encompassing painting, sculpture, digital imagery, land art, performance art, and new media art. This diverse selection aims to create a dynamic dialogue between traditional art forms and innovative, technology-based practices.
Since its founding in 2020, the Jinan International Biennale has become a key cultural event in China, showcasing a wide array of international artistic talent. Previous editions of the Biennale have featured nearly 800 works from 350 artists across more than 40 countries, attracting a cumulative 1.3 million visitors. This year’s Biennale continues the festival’s mission of fostering cross-cultural exchange and promoting contemporary art from both China and the wider world.
With its guiding principle of “Chinese Character, International Vision”, the Biennale serves as a platform for global cultural dialogue, offering insights into the current state of contemporary art. Through the lens of cultural diversity, it provides opportunities for international artists and audiences to engage with important issues affecting both China and the world. The Jinan International Biennale remains committed to promoting contemporary art and encouraging deep exchanges in global culture.
Visitors to the exhibition can expect to engage with an impressive range of artworks, each exploring the dynamic relationship between humanity and technology. The Biennale provides a unique opportunity for both artists and audiences to come together in dialogue, sparking new ideas and reflections on the changing nature of art in the 21st century.
