19-12-2003
IFM's board meeting in Donostia-San Sebastian

The International Foundation Manifesta (IFM) board meets in Donostia-San Sebastián to become informed of the developments of Manifesta 5, the contemporary art biennial that will take place in this city in the summer of 2004, from June 11th to September 30th.

It is of the utmost importance for the board to become familiar with the assigned host city for Manifesta 5. This procedure will be influential when developing future biennials in other cities and adapting to the distinguishing qualities of each one of them. Thus, Donostia-San Sebastián is creating the greatest expectations around the celebration of this Bienial and an interesting example of the integration of artistic debate.

The members of the IFM board are:

President: Henry Meyric Hughes, London
Director: Hedwig Fijen, Amsterdam
Members:

• Daniel Birnbaum Director Portikus Gallery, Frankfurt
• Francesco Bonami Senior Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, and Curator of Manifesta 3. Bonami was also named Director of the Venice Biennial in 2003.
• Iara Boubnova Founding Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Sofia, Curator of Manifesta 4
• Martin Fritz Honorary Treasurer, Viena
• Maaretta Jaukkuri Chief curator, Museum of Contemporary Art (KIASMA), Helsinki
• Gilane Tawadros Director Institute of International Visual Arts, Iniva, London
• Vicente Todoli Director Tate Modern, London
• Igor Zabel Senior curator, Moderna Galerija, Ljubljana

IFM is exploring new tactics to stimulate debate and critical reflection on the situation of the current artistic and expositive tendencies within the model offered by Manifesta. Further objectives are to create and discuss possible changes in the IFM's working strategies, which are commonly dependant on the specific characteristics of the hosting cities where the biennial takes place.

The International Foundation Manifesta is appointed to: select the host cities for each European Biennial activities programmes

Secure high artistic profile and integrity for every event taking place under the aegis of Manifesta guarantee the independency of the curatorial team and geographical spread of activities in Europe create a stimulating atmosphere for innovative and emerging developments launch a series of co-operational related events to the Biennial to deepen and enlarge the discussion.