Following the critical success of its debut in 2006, the Singapore Biennale, Singapore's premier international contemporary visual arts event, returns for its second season from 11 September to 16 November 2008, as part of the Singapore GP Season. Organised by the National Arts Council (NAC), the Singapore Biennale 2008 (SB2008) will feature works of more than 50 artists and art collectives from Singapore and the world over. Set to be Singapore's largest contemporary visual arts platform, the world's frontrunners in contemporary paintings, installations, interactive electronic media and sculptures, will come together and exhibit their works at some unusual and significant venues around the city at SB2008.

The theme, WONDER, will "investigate the articulation and creation of marvels, riddles and illusions in our world today", says the NAC.

"The artworks selected or to be newly developed with the artists, will attempt to cut through the fabric of the politically and socially constructed and perceptual limits, of our world," Artistic Director Fumio Nanjo remarks.

The exhibition will showcase an illustrious list of established and emerging artists from Asia, Middle East, Europe and the Americas, such as Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Deborah Kelly and Isak Berbic, among others, and from Southeast Asia and Singapore, such as Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Heman Chong.

The Singapore Biennale 2008 will focus on creating the journey of wonder through two large indoor spaces and a connecting outdoor area. The historic City Hall, one of the key venues of the 2006 exhibition and South Beach, a cluster of Art Deco colonial buildings that is synonymous with the Singapore Volunteer Corps, will bookend the entire exhibition. Linking the two indoor venues is the Marina Bay area, set to be the new hot spot come 2010 with the opening of the Marina Bay SandsT Integrated Resort, the new Financial Centre and a heritage waterfront development.

This year, a new segment known as "Showcase: Singapore" has also been added to the line-up. The premium boutique art fair will showcase top 25 galleries from around the world and attract the world's top art galleries and international art enthusiasts and engage dealers, collectors and artists in an active exchange on the business of art collection. "Showcase:Singapore", located at Level 1 of City Hall, will be open for professional and media preview from 9 to 10 September and to the public from 11 to 12 September.