Kusama's Final Years, Taiwan Pavilion Dispute, and Meloni's Cultural Shift
A recent media review highlights three key stories: Yayoi Kusama has been out of the public eye since 2019, working from a hospital where her assistants carry out her creations, although her foundation asserts she supervises the sculptures. In a 2023 interview, she shared her aspiration to produce works of historical importance. The Korea Times reports that Chinese participants pulled out of the Gwangju Biennale after Taiwanese exhibitors were permitted to use the 'Taiwan Pavilion.' Despite protests from China's ambassador, South Korean officials chose not to intervene, leading the Biennale foundation to express disappointment over the unresolved situation. Additionally, Ulrike Sauer in Die Zeit examines Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's attempts to steer Italy's culture to the right, warning that the nation’s rich cultural landscape could be endangered. Maurizio Cattelan also discusses his exhibition 'Night' at the Neue Nationalgalerie.
Key facts
- Yayoi Kusama has largely withdrawn from public view since 2019, working from a hospital.
- Kusama's last interview was in 2023, where she expressed hope to create works remembered in art history.
- Chinese participants withdrew from the Gwangju Biennale over the use of 'Taiwan Pavilion' label.
- China's ambassador to Korea, Dai Bing, protested to South Korean authorities.
- The Gwangju Biennale foundation stated it does not censor or interfere with exhibitions.
- Giorgia Meloni has been trying to shift Italy's cultural sector rightward for four years.
- Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli wrote the manifesto 'Gramsci lebt'.
- Maurizio Cattelan's exhibition 'Night' is at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin.
Entities
Artists
- Yayoi Kusama
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Beatrice Venezi
- Alessandro Giuli
- Giorgia Meloni
- Sergio Rizzo
- Melania Mazzucco
- Ulrike Sauer
- Park Ji-won
- Zachary Small
- Deborah Cole
- Dai Bing
Institutions
- Gwangju Biennale
- New York Times
- Korea Times
- Die Zeit
- The Guardian
- Neue Nationalgalerie
- La Fenice
- Monopol
- Berlin Biennale
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Italy
- China
- Taiwan