The first Herzliya Biennial curator was Joshua Simon (יהושע סימון) and its directors were Yehuda Ben Ezra and Dalia Levin.
Inspired by other biennials such as the Gwangju Biennale, and by Israeli politics and surroundings, the opening manifesto of the Herzliya Biennial states: "The First Herzliya Biennial of Contemporary Art will focus on presentation of works by contemporary Israeli artists who address the notion of posteriority articulated in its title, "The Rear" (Ha'Oref in Hebrew which also denotes "home front", "hinterland", "nape") in various ways: the home front as opposed the front line—civilian society in Israel versus the army; the public sphere—where society stands in relation to the state; where labor is located to capital.
Some of the notable artists to present their works at the Herzliya Biennial are: Guy Ben-Ner, Mika Rottenberg, Roee Rosen, Yair Garbuz, Ariella Azoulay, Elisheva Levy, Gil Shani, Ari Libsker, Zoya Cherkassky, Roy Arad, Keren Cytter, Sigalit Landau and Noa Tsaushu.
[1] Anat Turisky from Ha-Ir wrote that the idea to place the mega exhibition in Herzliya was original and efficient.
[2] The Jerusalem Post article [1][dead link] said (quote): "Is the biennial being used as a quick fix for the organizers and curatorial staff who are presenting particular kinds of art forms and media, while making a concerted effort to bring foreign guests, critics, museum people and local aficionados of the arts from outside the Herzliya/Dan region to view the displays?