An equestrian sculpture by Bolivian Juan Bustillos forms part of the Siart art exhibition which begins on Oct. 8, 2009 in La Paz with a large international presence.

Germany’s Gerhard Richter, who critics claim is one the figureheads of modern art, will attend the Siart biennial in La Paz, Bolivia as a guest of honor.

Friday, Sept. 25

LA PAZ, Bolivia – Spain’s Dino Valls, Italy’s Enzo Cucchi and Achille Bonito Oliva, Greece’s Jannis Kounellis and Germany’s Gerhard Richter are some of the big names who will be present at the Siart International Art Biennial set to take place in La Paz on Oct. 8.

The artists and curators are part of the European “Olympus” of modern art, according to La Razón, and will share galleries and alternative exposition areas with plastic artists from 26 countries.

This edition of Siart, reported EFE, will see the presence of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Thailand, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela.

The artists arrived in La Paz on the invitation of Union Latina in Bolivia and Fundación Visión Cultural, the event organizers, who chose the concept of “Ebb and Flow” for this year’s theme. There will be two prizes: the International Art award and the National Young Artist award, as well as any special mentions the panel of judges deems appropriate.

Beyond the contest, quality is guaranteed with the presence of guests of honor Jannis Kounellis, Enzo Cucchi, Gerhard Richter, Francisco Toledo (Mexico), Carmen Perrín (Switzerland), Alejandra Prieto (Chile) and Osvaldo Salerno. The program includes seminars, workshops, installations, performances, audiovisual presentations and music concerts, in addition to the 200 works which will be on display.

Kounellis is considered the greatest exponent of Arte Povera, a trend which emerged in France in May of 1968 involving the use of impoverished materials which are transformed into works of art, as a way of escaping the corporate mentality. The organizers told EFE that Kounellis will donate his installation to a school in La Paz.

According to statements made by Silvio Mignano to La Razón, the Italian ambassador to Bolivia, Enzo Cucchi will also be in town. He leads the trans-avant-garde movement, a form of neo-expressionism which flourished two decades ago.

Meanwhile, Germany is sending Richter, who the critics assert is at the peak of his career as one of the figureheads of modern art.

The judges will include Dino Valls, one of the greatest proponents of hyperrealism, and Bonito Oliva, the founder of the trans-avant-garde movement and one of Europe’s most reputable art critics. Chilean curator Pastor Mellado, art critic Margarita Schultz and the renowned Bolivian artist Roberto Valcárcel complete the panel of judges.