The 16th Gwangju Biennale
September 5, 2026 - November 15, 2026Overview
Opening on September 5, 2026, the 16th Gwangju Biennale, titled 《You Must Change Your Life》, takes its title from the final line of a poem published by Rainer Maria Rilke in 1908. In the poem, the speaker encounters a broken ancient sculpture and experiences a transformation in the way they see the world. As our perspective and position shift, we realize that we can no longer continue living as we did before. I must change.
Venue
Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall
Program
Opening Week Programs [Participating Artists’ Performances] - Dates: September 5–6, 2026 · Anjelago – 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 · Kwon Byung-jun and Park Chan-kyong – 12:00 - Venue: Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall - Main program: Participating artists’ performances [Exhibition-Related Talk Program] - Date: September 5, 2026, 13:00–19:00 - Venue: Geosigi Hall, Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall [Curator-Led Exhibition Tours] - Date: September 6, 2026, 13:00–17:00 * Schedule - Exhibition Room 1: 13:00–14:00 - Exhibition Room 2: 14:00–15:00 - Exhibition Room 3: 15:00–16:00 - Exhibition Room 4: 16:00–17:00 - Exhibition Room 5: 17:00–17:30 - Venue: Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall [Gwangju Biennale Academy] - Dates: September 5–13, 2026, twice daily (11:00 / 14:00) September 19–November 15, 2026, twice daily every Saturday and Sunday (11:00 / 14:00) * No sessions on: September 26, September 27, October 3, and October 4 - Venues: National Asian Culture Center (ACC) → Eunam Art Museum → Jeonil Building 245 → 5·18 Archives ※ Search for “Changes in Urban Memory” on Naver Reservation to apply in advance
Organizer
Gwangju Biennale Foundation (062-608-4500) Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City
Admission fee
- Regular ticket: KRW 20,000 - Advance reservation: KRW 17,000 - Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City discount: KRW 14,000 ※ See the official website for detailed admission fees
Age limit
All ages
Duration
10:00–18:00