Iniva is delighted to annouce that Sebastian Lopez, the internationally renowned artistic director and curator, has been appointed as their new Director. The news comes as Iniva enters an exciting new phase - with the opening of their new building Rivington Place with Autograph ABP on 5 October this year.
Iniva announced today that Sebastian Lopez, the internationally renowned artistic director and curator, has been appointed as their new Director. The news comes as Iniva enters an exciting new phase - with the opening of their new building Rivington Place with Autograph ABP on 5 October this year.
Argentinean born and a Dutch citizen since 1985, Lopez was formally both Founder Artistic Director of Daros-Latinamerica, Rio de Janeiro and Director of the Gate Foundation, Amsterdam. In 2004 he was the Curator of the Shanghai Biennale. As Director of the Gate Foundation, and previously as an independent curator, he has produced and co-curated many acclaimed exhibitions throughout Europe. He has also organised several international symposia in Europe, Latin America and Africa.
Lopez was a Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Art History Institute of Amsterdam and Leiden University and he has written and lectured world wide. He has contributed to a number of leading art journals and is also a member of the Editorial Board of Yishu, Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art. In The Netherlands Lopez served as a member of various consultative committees and Boards, including, the Council of Culture, The Hague; The Fund for Visual Arts, Design & Architecture, Amsterdam; and the Arts Council of Amsterdam. He has also been a Member of a Special Commission of the Arts Council England and Member of the Nomination Committee for the Hiroshima Art Prize 2000.
In his new role as Director at Iniva Lopez will shape the organisation's groundbreaking artistic programme, which aims to bring the work of culturally diverse artists to the attention of the broadest possible public and to tackle the question of art and culture in today's changing society. His work will include the artistic direction and strategic leadership for Iniva both in Rivington Place and at external venues in the UK and Internationally.
Professor Stuart Hall, Chairman of Iniva says of the appointment,
"We are delighted that Sebastian Lopez has agreed to take up the Directorship of Iniva. He arrives at an exciting moment of change when, with our partners, Autograph ABP, we are taking possession of our new base in Rivington Place. Sebastian is an internationally-recognised curator and artistic director associated with both Daros Latin America in Rio and the Gate Foundation arts agency in the Netherlands. He has been associated with Iniva before and brings to us leadership and commitment to our vision, a wealth of experience and wide connections in the cultural diversity visual arts scene."
Lopez said of the appointment,
"It is an honour and a challenge to conduct Iniva in this new moment, an Institute that has meant so much to determine the parameters of art and culture in the last decade. Iniva opened up questions more than 10 years ago, that today everyone has realised are relevant. I am ready to enlarge its significance and investigate new routes, in a cultural climate in which diversity and identity have been transformed in a carnival of exotic names and where the issues that really matter are often put aside."
Lopez will succeed Dr Augustus Casely-Hayford and Gilane Tawadros, inIVA's founding director.
ENDS
Editors Notes
- Full Biography/CV and images are available on request from josie@iniva.org
- Interviews can be made by appointment please email josie@iniva.org
- Sebastian Lopez will participate in a press reception on 3 October, as part of the Rivington Place launch. For further information please contact josie@iniva.org
- Further information about the new Directors plans for Iniva will be announced in January 2008.
Iniva: Established in 1994, Iniva is a contemporary visual arts agency that supports and promotes the work of artists, curators and scholars form diverse cultural backgrounds, making their artistic practice and ideas accessible to new and diverse audiences. Iniva creates exhibitions, publications, multimedia, education and research projects. The Institute invests in artists who deserve wider recognition for their talents; takes art into unexpected places as well as the more traditional venues; and engages new audiences, young and old, in contemporary art. Iniva produces a significant and much appreciated series of publications and catalogues and holds one of the largest Library collections in Europe on the visual arts of modern art from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. It has a record of challenging exhibitions that have brought new insight in contemporary art, as well as an award winning educational programme and cutting-edge multimedia programme. (www.iniva.org)
Opening to the public on 5 October 2007, Rivington Place is a new space for contemporary visual arts & photography and its history. It is the home of Iniva and Autograph ABP, two organisations dedicated to the promotion of culturally diverse visual arts. The building has two exhibitions spaces, an auditorium, research library and educational space. It will showcase the work of both emerging and established international artists, researchers and curators whose work is rarely seen in the UK and those who have made a significant contribution to contemporary art, connecting artists, audiences and institutions in innovative ways, across global and local networks. Rivington Place is first publically-funded new build visual arts centre to be constructed in London since the Hayward Gallery in 1968. The landmark buiding has been designed by David Adjaye OBE, one of the most challenging young architects in today international scene.
Rivington Place is supported by the Arts Council England Lottery Capital 2 Programme. Barclays Bank plc is the Rivington Place founding corporate partner, contributing £1.5million towards the development. This innovative partnership reflects Barclays history of supporting positive social change and making a real and lasting difference to the diverse communities in which it operates. (www.rivingtonplace.org)
