BoCA Bienal 2025 announces editions in Lisbon and Madrid

“Onde a travessia é possível” (“Where the crossing is possible”) is the publication that marks 10 years of activity, a manifesto on the role and place of art
2025 edition, in September and October, between Lisbon and Madrid

BoCA – Contemporary Arts Biennial presented its first publication at the Winter Garden of the São Luiz Municipal Theatre, celebrating a remarkable moment in its ten years of transdisciplinary work.

The work, officially launched in the presence of artists, curators, critics and the public, constitutes not only a retrospective of the path taken, but also a printed manifesto on the role of art in building bridges between disciplines, geographies and communities.

Conceived as an artistic object that assumes art as a journey, it has a preface by Tiago Rodrigues and brings together texts commissioned from academics, curators, artists and thinkers such as Cláudia Madeira, Claudia Galhós, Raquel Lima, Gonçalo M. Tavares, Gaya de Medeiros, Odete, Delfim Sardo and Sara Franqueira.

The book also includes a polyphonic interview with John Romão by João Pinharanda, Mónica Guerreiro, António Filipe Pimentel, Filipa Oliveira, Liliana Coutinho, Nuno Carinhas and Magda Bizarro —, in addition to documentation of creative processes and conversations with Portuguese and international artists who were part of the BoCA program.

As a visual extension of thought, the book also presents a set of previously unpublished visual works, commissioned from Gus Van Sant, Agnieszka Polska, Romeo Castellucci and Tânia Carvalho.

“The expectation was clear: that BoCA would not be just another event, but rather an ongoing movement that would encourage critical reflection and interaction between institutions, artistic areas, geographies and audiences,” highlights John Romão, artistic director of BoCA. “I knew that its strength lay in a plural, collaborative, synergistic and inclusive identity, which transcended artistic, cultural and social boundaries.”

This vision is now materialized in a publication that is structured around two central axes: a revisitation of previous editions of the biennial, offering a look at its evolution and impact; and a broad debate on the nature of art and transdisciplinary practice, raising essential questions about the role of artistic creation today.

The concept was conceived by John Romão and the design was signed by Ana Resende, with Rita Constante and Eunice Bastos, resulting in a graphic object that invites you to cross it, rather than browse through it.

During the launch, the next edition of the BoCA Biennial was also announced, which will take place in September and October 2025 and, for the first time, will take place in two countries: Portugal and Spain. Between Lisbon and Madrid, the project crosses borders and intensifies its international vocation with a transdisciplinary program that connects institutions, artists and audiences.

As John Romão says: “The Iberian bridge that BoCA begins to build in 2025, with the next edition of the biennial taking place between several cultural institutions in Lisbon and Madrid, is the continuation of this collaborative work and the result not only of our work, but also of the trust and relationships we cultivate with artists and institutions.”

Publication technical sheet

Title: BoCA – Contemporary Arts Biennial | Where crossing is possible
RRP: €35
Circulation: 500 copies
ISBN: 978-989-337498
Legal Deposit: 545752/25
Edition and distribution: BoCA
Texts: Tiago Rodrigues, Claudia Madeira, Claudia Galhós, Raquel Lima, Gonçalo M. Tavares, Gaya Medeiros, Odete, Delfim Sardo, Sara Franqueira
Visual Essays: Gus Van Sant, Agnieszka Polska, Romeo Castellucci, Tânia Carvalho
Graphic design: Ana Resende Studio
Project coordination: Laila Algaves Nuñez, Manuela Costa
Review and translation: José Roseira
Photography: Bruno Simão, Enric Vives-Rubio, Borys Dmytruk, The Spatialists, Pedro Machado, Ricardo Castelo
Printing: Maiadouro Graphics

Institutional support:
Portuguese Republic – Culture | DGARTES – General Directorate of Arts
Lisbon City Council
GDA Foundation

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