Liverpool Biennial organisers promise the best yet

Aug 21 2008 By Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE 2008 Liverpool Biennial will be the biggest and most ambitious to date, according to organisers.

Acclaimed Chinese artist and architect Ai Weiwei, now internationally recognised for his Bird’s Nest stadium at the Beijing Olympics, and Yoko Ono will be among the 40 artists taking part.

The first hints of what is to come during the month-long arts festival were revealed yesterday with the unveiling of the first public artwork, Joyful Trees, that is to act as a "trailblazer" before the Biennial starts on September 20.

The artwork, situated at the junction of Upper Parliament Street and Great George Street, is by leading New York architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

Although it looks like an ordinary mini-park, a closer look reveals three trees in the centre are actually slowly rotating.

Sorcha CORCarey, programme manager of the Biennial, which is also marking its 10th anniversary, said: "2008 is a really big year for culture and we wanted an even bigger, special Biennial this year.

"Many of the commissions, especially those outdoors, will be much larger than usual."

The majority of the work on show as part of the Biennial will be brand new, and the small number of non- commissioned items will have never been seen in the UK before.

One of the highlights is likely to be the work of Ai Weiwei, who will be creating a "spiderweb of light" across Exchange Flags.

An open-air stage on Renshaw Street will form Rockscape, where musicians will be able to jam, and the Biennial visitor centre will be based in the disused former ABC cinema, on Lime Street.

Ms Carey added: "We wanted to celebrate what we do best – bringing some of the most ambitious, large- scale installations we have ever done.

"People will really have the opportunity to join in with us in celebrating this momentous anniversary that also comes in Capital of Culture year. It will be the best one yet."

Architect Ricardo Scofidio arrived in Liverpool yesterday to take his first look at his completed installa- tion, Joyful Trees (Arbores Laetae).

He said: "One of the themes running through our work in the last few years has been that of nature and artifice.

"We wanted to play with the landscape and make it something one doesn’t think of as normal.

"Hopefully people will be surprised and like it."

Joyful Trees will be fenced off to the public for two weeks to allow the newly-laid turf to settle. After that people will be free to explore the installation.

The theme of the festival is "made up" – a focus on the artistic imagination.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk