Joshua Citarella's Podcast Featured in Whitney Biennial Sparks Debate on Art and Accessibility

Joshua Citarella's podcast 'Doomscroll' was presented as part of the 2024 Whitney Biennial, with live recordings held at the museum in late March. Citarella, an artist known for his research into online political discourse, transitioned from photography and net art to focus on digital culture. His work examines how social media shapes political views, particularly among younger audiences. The inclusion of the podcast in the prestigious exhibition generated controversy, with critics questioning whether such content qualifies as art and whether it diverts resources from more experimental projects. Citarella's practice has evolved from community-focused online activism to a more polished, interview-based format featuring figures like Hasan Piker, Andrew Callaghan, Taylor Lorenz, and Francis Fukuyama. The podcast's viewership has significantly increased compared to his earlier academic presentations. During a discussion with filmmaker John Wilson, Citarella mentioned that the Museum of Modern Art once considered a video art streaming service but abandoned the idea over concerns about market pressures. Wilson argued that sharing art widely shouldn't require commercial optimization. The debate highlights tensions between institutional support, audience engagement, and artistic integrity in contemporary museum programming.