Manifesta is pleased to announce the Host Region and curator of Manifesta 9. The ninth edition of Manifesta, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art will take place in Limburg, Belgium in 2012 with Cuauhtémoc Medina (Mexico) leading the curatorial team.

The Board of the Manifesta Foundation has unanimously selected the Province of Limburg, Belgium as Host region for Manifesta 9. The former mining region spearheaded their Bid for Manifesta by emphasizing topical issues in the region such as the social repositioning of a postindustrial society, finding new possibilities to do deal with material and immaterial cultural heritage and the search for a joint European identity and forms of collaboration, while at the same time not letting go of one’s own distinctiveness. Issues which according to Manifesta form a complex and interesting point of departure for the project, which can be relevant both within the Host Region and within a European context at large.

The newly elected Host of Manifesta responded with great enthusiasm to the decision of the Manifesta Foundation Board. In the words of Councilor of the Province of Limburg Gilbert Van Baelen: “I am exceptionally proud that we have succeeded in our Bid, and that Manifesta has selected Belgium, and Limburg in particular, as Host Region.”

Following an extensive period of research and talks, culminating in an on-site research by three final candidates, the board of the Manifesta Foundation selected Cuauhtémoc Medina from Mexico City, Mexico to lead the curatorial team of Manifesta 9. Medina impressed the Board with a striking proposal which – in line with Manifesta’s aims – opens up possibilities to develop innovative working models for the display and production of contemporary art, while strengthening the links between artistic practice, culture heritage and the socio political landscape. Manifesta and Cuauhtémoc Medina plan to announce the other members of the curatorial team of Manifesta 9 in due course.

Cuauhtémoc Medina works as curator, art critic and historian. He lives and works in Mexico City. He holds a PhD in Art History and Theory from the University of Essex, UK. Medina is a researcher at the Instituto de Investigaciones Estéticas at the National University of Mexico. Medina was the first Associate Curator of Latin American Art Collections at Tate Modern in London.

Manifesta, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art, changes its location every two years. Manifesta purposely strives to keep its distance from what are often seen as the dominant centers of artistic production, instead seeking fresh and fertile terrain for the mapping of a new cultural topography. This includes innovations in curatorial practices, exhibition models and education. Each Manifesta Biennial aims to investigate and reflect on emerging developments in contemporary art, culture and society, set within a European context.

For more information please contact:

Hedwig Fijen, Director Manifesta
+31 20 672 14 35
HedwigFijen@manifesta.org

CV Cuauhtémoc Medina