The full set of four educational publications released on the occasion of the 36th Bienal de São Paulo – Not All Travellers Walk Roads – Of Humanity as Practice, curated by Prof. Dr. Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, with co-curators Alya Sebti, Anna Roberta Goetz, Thiago de Paula Souza, co-curator at large Keyna Eleison, and strategy and communications advisor Henriette Gallus. Taking its cue from Afro-Brazilian poet Conceição Evaristo’s enigmatic poem, Da calma e do silênco [Of calm and silence], the Bienal aims to rethink humanity as a verb, a living practice, in a world that requires reimagining relationships, asymetries, and listening as the basis for coexistence.

Each title centers on one of the four Invocations—gatherings including poetry, music, performance, talks, lectures, and workshops—organized by the curatorial team in four cities (Marrakesh; Les Abymes, Guadeloupe; Zanzibar; and Tokyo) in the lead-up to the biennial exhibition. Conceived as reflective and interdisciplinary extensions of the exhibition, these publications assemble texts by researchers, artists, and critics to foster dialogues between artistic practices and contemporary critical thought, with a strong educational focus.

For more information on each of the volumes:

Educational Publication Vol. 1: Souffles: On Deep Listening and Active Reception

Educational Publication Vol. 2: Bigidi mè pa tonbé: Totter but Never Fall

Educational Publication Vol. 3: Mawali—Taqsim: Improvisation as a Space and Technology of Humanity

Educational Publication Vol. 4: Bukimi No Tani (不気味の谷): The Uncanny Valley – The Affectivity of the Humanoid