A global journey through the ideas, cities, and cultural forces that shaped contemporary art—brought vividly to life by narrator Paul Dowling.

The Biennale Book: Ten Foundations of Contemporary Art explores ten of the world’s most influential biennales, revealing how these exhibitions became the places where art, politics, and society meet. From Venice’s historic pavilions to Berlin’s radical experiments, from Gwangju’s democratic spirit to Sharjah’s postcolonial conversations, each chapter uncovers the stories, tensions, and breakthroughs that reshaped how we see art today. A global tour through Venice, São Paulo, Berlin, Havana, Istanbul, Sharjah, Sydney, Gwangju, Liverpool, and New York.

Listeners will discover how biennales emerged as powerful cultural stages; how curators used them to challenge institutions; how artists transformed cities into laboratories of ideas; and why these exhibitions continue to matter in an increasingly fragmented world.

A global tour in audio form—bringing the energy, drama, and atmosphere of biennales directly to the ear.

Human stories behind the exhibitions—from political ruptures to artistic breakthroughs.

Clear, narrative-driven explanations of how major biennales work, why they matter, and how they influence artists, museums, markets, and nations.

A thoughtful look at art’s biggest questions: What does it mean to gather cultures in one place? How do exhibitions reflect—or resist—the politics around them? What can art still change?

Paul Dowling’s warm, thoughtful narration adds depth to every chapter, guiding listeners through complex histories with clarity and a storyteller’s touch, intellectually rich and deeply enjoyable.

Ideal for art lovers, travelers, students, and anyone curious about how culture moves through the world, The Biennale Book offers a vivid, accessible introduction to exhibitions that transformed contemporary art and the global conversations they sparked.