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ArtReview's 75th Anniversary Project: Four Critics Re-examine the Nature of Reviews Through Global Case Studies

opinion-review · 2026-04-20

In celebration of its 75th anniversary, ArtReview investigates the role of reviews in modern culture through four innovative case studies. Gaby Cepeda examined galleries around kurimanzutto in Mexico City, highlighting exhibitions by artists such as Marcelo Cidade, Cristina Kahlo, and Danh Vo. Oliver Basciano explored a Brazilian rodeo in Minas Gerais, viewing it as a cultural ritual. Martin Herbert attended Maja Ruznic's 'Mutter' exhibition in Berlin to evaluate how prolonged observation influences perception. Lastly, Thu-Huong Ha compared Japanese and Western review methodologies in Tokyo. Established 75 years ago to assist London audiences with exhibitions, ArtReview now often publishes reviews after events, prompting a reevaluation of their function beyond simple critique.

Key facts

  • ArtReview celebrates its 75th anniversary with a special project re-examining the nature of reviews
  • Four critics conducted experimental case studies in Mexico City, Brazil, Berlin, and Tokyo
  • Gaby Cepeda reviewed every gallery within a half-kilometre radius of kurimanzutto in San Miguel Chapultepec, Mexico City
  • Oliver Basciano analyzed a Brazilian rodeo in Minas Gerais as cultural ritual comparable to art world events
  • Martin Herbert repeatedly visited Maja Ruznic's exhibition 'Mutter' at Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin
  • Thu-Huong Ha examined cultural differences in review practices between Japanese and Western systems in Tokyo
  • ArtReview was founded 75 years ago to help London audiences navigate post-war art exhibitions
  • The project questions whether anything can be reviewed and explores reviews as open systems beyond traditional criticism

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • ArtReview
  • RGR
  • Le Laboratoire
  • Galería de Arte Mexicano
  • Patricia Conde Galería
  • Adhesivo Contemporary
  • Galería Enrique Guerrero
  • kurimanzutto
  • Labor
  • Anonymous Gallery
  • Contemporary Fine Arts
  • Getty Museum
  • BBC2
  • Google
  • Tabelog
  • Yelp
  • Uber
  • Amazon
  • Goodreads
  • Monster
  • Toyota
  • Coca-Cola
  • Shake Shack
  • Basilica de Guadalupe
  • Mexican Stock Market Exchange

Locations

  • Mexico City
  • Mexico
  • San Miguel Chapultepec
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Berlin
  • Germany
  • Tokyo
  • Japan
  • Brazil
  • Minas Gerais
  • São Paulo
  • Bosnia-Herzegovina
  • New Mexico
  • United States
  • Austria
  • Los Angeles
  • Venezuela
  • Lima
  • Peru
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Armenia
  • New York
  • Vietnam
  • China

Sources