The Biennale of Contemporary Keramics (BCK) “Where the Day Starts” kicks off in June. Dedicated to the evolving field of contemporary ceramics, BCK operates as a nomadic platform moving across Greek islands, drawing on each location’s history, archaeology, mythology, and cultural fabric. The 2026 edition will bring together artists from across the Mediterranean region, positioning ceramics both as an ancient medium and a critical contemporary practice.
Curated by Anissa Touati, Stamatia Dimitrakopoulos, and Loukia Thomopoulou, the biennale frames Rhodes as a symbolic and geographical meeting point of Mediterranean histories and futures. The title Where the Day Starts references the island’s mythological origins. According to ancient mythology, Rhodes was named after Rhodos, the lover of the sun god Helios, who caused the island to rise from the sea so it would be the first place to greet daylight.
Throughout the Mediterranean, the sun emerges as a recurring symbol—here serving as a metaphor for connection, exchange, shared heritage, and renewal. The biennale adopts this mythic dawn as a call for new beginnings, inviting artists to reimagine Mediterranean identities, histories, and futures through contemporary ceramic practices.
“As curators, we see the Biennale and the Island of Rhodes as a meeting point where the Mediterranean’s diverse histories, traditions and futures come together,” the curatorial team states. “Ceramic techniques have crossed shores for centuries, evolving through migration, trade, and dialogue. Today, artists reinterpret these age-old methods to address current questions and create new connections. We aim to highlight both the ancient bonds and contemporary narratives that shape the region, opening space for new perspectives on the Mediterranean’s future.”
