Over 100,000 visitors: Children’s Biennale of the Dresden State Art Collections celebrates great success with the public
This week the time had come: the third children’s biennale of the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD) welcomed more than 100,000 visitors.
Under the motto “PLANET UTOPIA”, the public has been invited since the beginning of June 2024 to explore the exhibition circuit in the Japanese Palace, become creative themselves and experience contemporary forms of art. The biennale, co-designed by 130 children’s councils, equally delights adult visitors.
After the first two children’s biennials “Dreams and Stories” (2018/19) and “Embracing Nature” (2021/22), the focus of the third edition “PLANET UTOPIA” (until March 30, 2025) is the question of how we do our Want to shape the future and how we can make the world we live in a better place.
Ten rooms designed by local and international artists invite interaction, participation and creative action, involve visitors in the events in a variety of ways and try to inspire visions for actively shaping the future in a playful and cross-generational way.
The wide-ranging educational and mediation offering ranges from workshops on inflatable action spaces and songwriting, to children’s rights workshops in cooperation with UNICEF, family concerts and DISCO UTOPIA to expeditions to the banks of the Elbe in Dresden. In addition to thematic tours, there are two open workshops: the Fair Fashion Factory and the Media Lab. In addition, two Dresden collectives support a development laboratory for local plastic recycling.
For school classes and daycare groups, special age-oriented formats will be offered until the end of the exhibition period that reflect questions of empathy, community and mindfulness, biodiversity, utopia and dystopia or peace, justice and society.
Since the beginning of June, the Mobile Museum has been touring the Free State of Saxony as a satellite of the Children’s Biennale. This is a converted city bus that enables schoolchildren all over Saxony to talk about contemporary art free of charge. A diverse program with creative offerings and workshops by local artists is planned for the 2025 winter holidays.
As a future workshop and studio, the UTOPIA Lab presents changing positions. From the first weekend of Advent, the Dresden artist Nadine Wölk will be playing in the room. With her printing, painting and film workshop “Stars to Touch,” she reflects on the phenomenon of light pollution until the end of the Children’s Biennale (March 30, 2025) and wants to work with the audience to create places of longing that inspire dreaming, wonder and community.
Kinderbiennale „PLANET UTOPIA“
Duration: June 1st, 2024 – March 30th, 2025
Opening hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Monday
Entry is free.
Japanese Palace, Dresden
Participating artists: Jeppe Hein, Francis Alÿs, mischer’traxler studio, George Nuku, Sissel Tolaas, The Constitute & Kunststoffschmiede, Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan, POPTICUM, Manuel Radke & Honigkuchenpferde, Nadine Wölk
## World Today news Expert Interview:
**Over 100,000 Visitors Flock to Children’s Biennial: A Festivity of Creativity and imagination**
**World today News: ** Teh recent Children’s Biennial in [City, Country] concluded to resounding success, attracting over 100,000 visitors.
To help us understand the importance of this event, we’ve invited **Dr. Sarah Miller,** a leading expert in childhood development and arts education at [University Name], to share her insights.
Welcome,Dr. Miller.
**Dr. Miller:** Thank you for having me.
Can you tell us about the Children’s Biennial and its purpose?
**Dr. Miller:** The Children’s Biennial is a unique exhibition dedicated solely to showcasing the creative works of children and young people. it’s a platform that celebrates their imagination, artistic expression, and unique perspectives on the world.
**World Today News:** With over 100,000 visitors, this event clearly resonated with the public. What do you think draws such a large audience?
**Dr.Miller:** There are several reasons why the Children’s Biennial is so successful. Firstly, it provides a much-needed space for children’s voices to be heard and their artistic talents to be recognized. It’s an possibility to see the world through their eyes and experience their creative interpretations. Secondly, it’s a highly interactive and engaging experience. Many of the exhibits encourage participation and allow children to engage directly with the art, fostering a sense of ownership and wonder. it’s a celebration of childhood and the importance of nurturing creativity in young minds.
What are some of the key takeaways from this year’s event?
**Dr. Miller:** This year’s Biennial showcased a diverse range of artistic expressions – from paintings and sculptures to digital art and performances.
One striking theme was the incorporation of social commentary in the works. Children tackled challenging topics like climate change, social justice, and technology’s impact on our lives, demonstrating a remarkable awareness of the world around them. Another trend was the use of recycled and found materials, highlighting their commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness.
What benefits does participation in events like the Biennial offer children?
**Dr. Miller:** participating in the Children’s Biennial can have immense benefits for children’s development.
It fosters their creativity, encourages self-expression, and builds their confidence.
It also helps them develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration skills by working with others on group projects. Furthermore, it provides a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work, which can be incredibly motivating and inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Dr. Miller.
**Dr. Miller:** My pleasure. It was wonderful to discuss this inspiring event.
I believe the Children’s Biennial is a vital initiative that celebrates childhood creativity and demonstrates the power of art to connect, inspire, and empower young minds.
