More than 40 Artists from Around the World to Participate in the Avilés Climate Biennial
On 11 March, Avilés hosted the presentation of the latest developments of the 1st Climate Biennial: Art, Industry and Territory, which will take place from 12 June to 20 September 2026 under the title Rehearsing the Unexpected.
The Biennial is conceived as a meeting space open to the public that invites reflection on the ecological, social and territorial challenges of our time.
© Nico Rodríguez_Presentation of the Climate Biennial, 11 March 2026: from left to right: Manuel Campa (Councillor for Urban and Economic Development of Avilés), Agustín Medina (First Deputy Mayor of the Avilés City Council), Susana Madera (Director General for the Environment of the Government of the Principality of Asturias), Miguel Soberón (Director of Atelier itd), Jordi Martí Grau (Secretary of State for Culture), Mariví Monteserín (Mayor of Avilés), Miguel González Suela (Undersecretary for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge), Amanda Masha Caminals (Artistic Director of the Climate Biennial) and Yolanda Alonso (Councillor for Culture and Festivities of Avilés).
The Biennial will bring together more than 40 national and international artists whose works and projects explore the relationship between art, climate, territory and industry.
Among the newly confirmed participants are:
Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Gabriela Bettini, Carolina Caycedo, Kela Coto, Elisa Cuesta, Olmo Cuña, Priyageetha Dia, Chioma Ebinama, Agnes Essonti, Harun Farocki & Antje Ehmann, Vir Andrés Hera, Sara García, Noemí Iglesias, Naiza Khan, Alba Matilla, Benjamin Menéndez, Amanda Piña, Massimiliano Mollona & Oliver Ressler and Emilija Škarnulytė.
These names join the artists previously announced in recent weeks, whose works will form part of the exhibition programme of this first edition.
© Sara García, Mournings and Jubilation, 2025–2026
A BIENNIAL ACROSS THE CITY
The Climate Biennial will activate 11 venues across Avilés, connecting cultural centres, industrial heritage sites and historic spaces throughout the city.
Participating venues include:
Escuela de Artes y Oficios, Factoría Cultural de Avilés, La Noria, Palacio de Camposagrado, Palacio de Valdecarzana, Centro Niemeyer, Antigua Pescadería Municipal (La Grapa), La Curtidora, Parque de Ferrera, ArcelorMittal University and Espacio Portus.
Together, these locations will form a network of spaces that invite visitors to rediscover the city and activate Avilés as a territory for reflection and experimentation.
© Nico Rodríguez_Presentation of the Climate Biennial, 11 March 2026
THREE SECTIONS STRUCTURE THE EXHIBITION PROGRAMME
The Biennial’s artistic programme is organised into three main sections:
METEO STATION Explores new ways of observing and communicating atmospheric phenomena in a context of climate disruption.
PRESENT INDUSTRIES Engages with Avilés’ industrial legacy and the possible futures of labour and production.
MOURNINGS AND JUBILATIONS Addresses the emotional dimension of ecological and social transformations: what is lost, but also what can be collectively imagined.
