BAW – Bolzano Art Weeks 2024: A Rhizome for Contemporary Art
27 September – 6 October 2024, Bolzano
Bolzano is buzzing with artistic energy once again as BAW – Bolzano Art Weeks returns! From 27 September to 6 October 2024, the city will host the fourth edition of South Tyrol’s largest collective art project. Spanning 10 days, this year’s BAW offers over 40 exhibitions, 80 events, and 120 artistic projects spread across 50 locations, co-produced by more than 150 partners. It’s a vibrant, city-wide celebration of contemporary art that immerses Bolzano in creativity, transforming every corner into a gallery, stage, or studio.
BAW 2024 is not just an art festival; it’s a dynamic network, likened to an underground rhizome—a resilient and interconnected root system. Art seeps into the streets of Bolzano, surfacing in unexpected places and drawing the public into exhibitions, debates, performances, and rare openings of typically private spaces, such as artists’ studios and normally inaccessible venues. This omnipresent celebration aims to foster connection and inclusivity by showcasing what already exists, rather than constructing new spaces, creating a cultural ecosystem that emphasises well-being, empathy, and inclusiveness for all.
The festival, conceived by Nina Stricker and organised by Cooperativa 19 in partnership with the Südtiroler Künstlerbund and LanaLive-Südtirol Kultur, offers a cohesive map and calendar, uniting Bolzano’s vibrant art scene while also casting its gaze beyond regional borders. BAW is proudly open to everyone, welcoming participation through an open call rather than by invitation, fostering a space where diverse voices can contribute to a wide range of artistic expressions.
The theme for BAW 2024 is inspired by the concept of “well-being,” encapsulated in the motto WELLbeing WELcome. How can art contribute to this idea? By renewing its commitment to engage with society, offering reflections and insights that lead to greater awareness and fulfilment in the present. This in turn forms the foundation for a more sustainable future.
As BAW’s organising team—Nina Stricker, Valentina Cramerotti, Massimiliano Gianotti, Barbara Brugnara, and Hannes Egger—explains: “We believe art must return to its roots as a force that helps people connect with deeper, lasting values. Art’s role is not merely decorative or entertaining; it holds a social and political function. Our chosen theme for 2024, WELLbeing WELcome, becomes meaningful when art is integrated into everyday life, standing alongside the people. In this sense, ‘care’ means looking after ourselves, our neighbours, and artistic expression, with an awareness of our shared spiritual universality. It is not about diluting content for easier consumption, but about creating the conditions for broad and meaningful engagement. True well-being should be accessible to everyone, and the ultimate goal of cultural initiatives and public policy should be to ensure this inclusivity.”
For more information and to explore the full programme, visit: www.bolzanoartweeks.com.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the creativity, culture, and inclusive spirit of BAW 2024!
