The Vancouver Biennale has appointed Marcello Dantas as senior curator for its 2027-29 edition. Dantas, a Brazilian curator and art director, has worked on major projects including co-curating Desert X AlUla in Saudi Arabia, curating an Es Devlin exhibition in São Paulo, and serving as art director at Sfer Ik in Tulum. He previously contributed to the Vancouver Biennale's 2013-15 edition with a Vik Muniz project. Dantas emphasizes collaboration with local First Nations and community groups, and plans to explore themes of belonging, displacement, and public art that is ephemeral and participatory.
This appointment matters because it signals the Vancouver Biennale's commitment to international curatorial leadership and community-engaged public art. Dantas's experience with large-scale outdoor exhibitions and his focus on ecological and Indigenous perspectives could shape a distinctive edition that addresses Vancouver's urban development, colonial history, and natural landscape. The selection also highlights the growing trend of biennials hiring curators with global portfolios to navigate complex local contexts.