Liverpool Biennial is the UK's international festival of contemporary art. The fifth edition opened on 20 September 2008.

The theme of the Biennial’s showpiece International 08 exhibition is MADE UP – an exploration of the power of the artistic imagination. MADE UP includes narrative, fantasy, myths, lies, prophesies, subversion, spectacle, and the ambiguous territory between the real and unreal.

Half of MADE UP takes place at FACT, the Bluecoat, Tate Liverpool and Open Eye Gallery, with the rest taking root in public spaces across the city.

Check out www.biennial.com/madeup for info and images of the show, as well a a downloadable map and audioguide.

The festival also includes Bloomberg New Contemporaries at Greenland Street, the John Mores 25 at the Walker, and hundreds of other brilliant exhibitions and events taking place across the city. Some of our recommendations are featured at www.biennial.com. Fuller listings may be found at www.independentsbiennial.com.