Opinion & reviews

Editorials, critical reviews, analyses, commentaries, and viewpoints on the contemporary art world.

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Artpress Editorial Protests State Censorship in France opinion-review
In a February 2004 editorial titled "Ca suffit ! On est assez grands" (Enough! We are old enough), Jacques Henric, writing for artpress, denounces a new incursion of the "Papa…
Review of 'Computing in Russia' Explores Soviet Computer History and Technological Parallels opinion-review
Released in 2001, 'Computing in Russia' delves into the evolution of computer technology during the Soviet era, particularly early computational systems. Edited by Georg…
Critical Review of John Currin's Whitney Museum Exhibition Questions Artistic Substance opinion-review
John Currin's exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art from November 20, 2003 to February 22, 2004 revealed a painter whose technical skill masks deeper deficiencies.…
Richard Serra's Legacy: A Hero Under Scrutiny? opinion-review
A symposium in St. Louis on museums revealed a troubling reverence for Richard Serra's work, with art professionals treating his sculptures with forced deference and avoiding…
Post-9/11 American Cinema and Teen Violence opinion-review
A 2004 article in artpress examines how post-9/11 American cinema became fixated on adolescent murders. Filmmakers are exploring not only U.S. politics but also the broader system…
Milcho Manchevski's 'Dust' Film Explores Balkan Conflict Through Western Genre Lens opinion-review
Milcho Manchevski's 'Dust' made its debut at the Venice Film Festival, following his acclaimed 1994 Golden Lion-winning film 'Before the Rain.' The Macedonian filmmaker…
Norman Rockwell and Socialist Realism: Parallels in 20th Century Kitsch and Propaganda opinion-review
Despite their contrasting ideologies, Norman Rockwell's artwork exhibits stylistic parallels with Soviet Socialist Realism. Both movements employed realistic, narrative techniques…
Svitlana Schlipchenko analyzes architecture's role in shaping Ukrainian national identity and gender dynamics opinion-review
On November 12, 2003, Svitlana Schlipchenko published an essay that investigates the influence of modern architectural practices in Ukraine on national identity and collective…
Three New York gallery exhibitions reviewed: Mark di Suvero, Jessica Stockholder, and Jeff Gauntt opinion-review
Three concurrent gallery exhibitions in New York's Chelsea district present distinct sculptural approaches. At Paula Cooper Gallery, Mark di Suvero's 'XV' (1971), a 21-foot steel…
Martha Mayer Erlebacher's exhibition at Forum Gallery receives critical review opinion-review
Martha Mayer Erlebacher's exhibition at Forum Gallery in New York features narrative paintings that struggle with literalism and misplaced ambition, according to a critical…
Fashion Runway as Choreographic Device: A Critical Analysis opinion-review
Laurent Goumarre examines the relationship between fashion shows and dance, arguing that the runway is a speculative, non-discursive spectacle that fascinates choreographers. He…
Michael Rush's 'L'art vidéo' Reviewed: Historical Approach to Video Art opinion-review
Christophe Kihm reviews Michael Rush's book 'L'art vidéo', published by Thames & Hudson. The review critiques Rush's historical perspective on video art, noting that while it…
French Intermittent Workers' Status Debated in Cultural Policy opinion-review
The status of intermittent entertainment workers in France is at the heart of recent cultural policy debates. The discussions concern the social and economic status of culture and…
Three NYC Gallery Exhibitions Reviewed: Schnabel at PaceWildenstein, Heffernan at P.P.O.W., Harrison at Paul Sharpe opinion-review
In New York City's Chelsea and Tribeca, three exhibitions are currently on display, each presenting unique painting techniques. At PaceWildenstein (534 W. 25th Street), Julian…
Jouer ou ne pas jouer : d'Avignon à Moscou, la question théâtrale opinion-review
L'article de Georges Banu, paru dans artpress en octobre 2003, explore la question existentielle du théâtre : jouer ou ne pas jouer ? À travers deux expériences contrastées,…
Exploring the Outremonde: Parisian Galleries Outside the FIAC Circuit opinion-review
A recent investigation by artpress delves into Paris galleries that aren't part of FIAC and Basel art fairs, revealing a distinct market with its own styles, clients, and pricing.…
Susanna Coffey's 2003 Exhibition at Tibor de Nagy Gallery Draws Critical Scrutiny opinion-review
From October 9 to November 8, 2003, Susanna Coffey presented a solo exhibition at Tibor de Nagy Gallery in New York. The show featured her signature self-portraits alongside…
Art Market Myths: Price Surges Post-9/11 and the Death of the Masterpiece opinion-review
In an editorial for artpress, Catherine Millet discusses Hans Belting's book "Le Chef-d'œuvre invisible" and its thesis that the concept of the masterpiece has lost relevance…
Éric Troncy's 'Auteur d'exposition' concept critiqued through Coollustre exhibition opinion-review
In a 2003 art press opinion piece, Christophe Kihm critiques the concept of 'auteur d'exposition' (exhibition author) as embodied by Éric Troncy's exhibition Coollustre at the…
Robert McLiam Wilson's 'La douleur de Manfred' Reviewed opinion-review
Laurent Goumarre reviews Robert McLiam Wilson's novel 'La douleur de Manfred', published by Éditions Christian Bourgois. The reviewer notes Wilson's own harsh opinion of the book,…
Philippe Forest on the Return of Ghosts in Contemporary French Novels opinion-review
In an article for art press, Philippe Forest explores the theme of revenants in three works by emerging French female authors: 'White' by Marie Darrieussecq (P.O.L.), 'Querelle…
Pascal Boulanger's 'L'Emotion l'Emeute' Reviewed in art press opinion-review
In the September 2003 issue of art press (n°293), Claude Adelen reviews Pascal Boulanger's poetry collection 'L'Emotion l'Emeute'. Boulanger, author of 'Martingale' (1995) and…
50th Venice Biennale Criticized as Fragmented and Meaningless opinion-review
Francesco Bonami, curator of the 50th edition of the Venice Biennale, opted for a fragmented structure with multiple exhibitions led by various associate curators and artists. The…
Jacques Henric's Summer Reading Roundup: Best and Worst of 2003 opinion-review
In a summer 2003 review, Jacques Henric surveys recent publications, identifying Dominique de Villepin's "Éloge des voleurs de feu" as the worst and Hélène Duffau's "Trauma" as…
Roundtable on Alexander Sokurov's 'Russian Ark' Sparks Debate on Film's Ideology and Technical Innovation opinion-review
A roundtable discussion published on ARTMargins Online on July 31, 2003, features multiple critics analyzing Alexander Sokurov's film 'Russian Ark.' The film, shot in a single…
Sokurov's Russian Ark as Visual Manifesto Against Western Cultural Arrogance opinion-review
Alexander Sokurov's 2002 film Russian Ark presents a cinematic confrontation with Western cultural superiority through the figure of Marquis de Custine. The film unfolds as a…
Raoul Eshelman Analyzes Sokurov's 'Russian Ark' as Transition from Postmodernism to Performatism opinion-review
Raoul Eshelman's 2003 article argues that Alexander Sokurov's film 'The Russian Ark' marks a shift from postmodernism to a new epoch he terms 'performatism.' The film, shot in a…
Sokurov's 'Russian Ark' Analyzed: One-Shot Technique and Ideological Ambiguities opinion-review
The film 'Russian Ark,' directed by Alexander Sokurov, employs a unique continuous single-shot technique to delve into Russian history, highlighting the elite imperial society…
Karen Knorr and David Rosenfeld Exhibitions Reviewed by Dominique Baqué opinion-review
Dominique Baqué reviews two concurrent photography exhibitions in Paris. Karen Knorr's 'Sanctuary & Spirits' at Galerie Filles du Calvaire (March 27 – May 17, 2003) explores…
Degas's Little Dancer as emblem of dance's disappearance opinion-review
Germana Civera's 100 Rencontres de Benoît Lachambre, staged in Montpellier, Parc de la Villette, and Montreal, posed the question: 'What is dance today?' Laurent Goumarre responds…
Critical Examination of 1990s Hungarian Contemporary Art's Institutional and Conceptual Frameworks opinion-review
In her 2003 essay, Ágnes Berecz explores "contemporary Hungarian art of the 90s," challenging established notions regarding periodization, national identity, and the legitimacy of…
Allan Siegel Responds to Marina Grzinic's 2002 Essay on Museum Relevance opinion-review
In a 2003 piece for ARTMargins Online, Allan Siegel critiques Marina Grzinic's 2002 work, "Does Contemporary Art Need Museums Anymore." He highlights a shift in Wien's museums,…
Cinema and the Gleaners: Millet's Painting on Film opinion-review
Hervé Gauville examines the influence of painting on cinema, focusing on Jean-François Millet's "Les glaneuses" as inspiration for filmmakers like Agnès Varda. Varda's film "Deux…
Sokurov's Russian Ark Explores Digital-Analog Paradox in Hermitage Film opinion-review
Alexander Sokurov's film Russian Ark, released in 2003, presents a technological paradox by transferring digital video footage to 35mm film for projection. The single-take work…
Matthew Barney's Threatening Marriage of Paganism and the Sacred opinion-review
The article examines Matthew Barney's work through the lens of a threatening union between paganism and the sacred. It discusses his elaborate, mythological installations and…
Artpress Editorial Examines the Rise of the 'Reactif' opinion-review
In a May 2003 editorial for Artpress, Christophe Kihm defines the 'reactif' as a social figure who intervenes on any topic and in any circumstance, reacting against proposed…
Christophe Kihm on Irony in Contemporary Art and Rock opinion-review
Christophe Kihm examines irony as a linguistic act that asserts value judgments between hierarchized elements, using examples from contemporary art. He argues for a fundamental…
Nick Tosches' Dante thriller reviewed in artpress opinion-review
In artpress, a review delves into Nick Tosches' novel 'La main de Dante,' released by Éditions Albin Michel. This thriller revolves around the unearthing of Dante's Divine Comedy…
Marek Ther's Exhibition at Galerie Eskort Explores Artistic Alias Dynamics opinion-review
Marek Ther presented an exhibition at Galerie Eskort in Brno, Czech Republic, from January 10 to February 25, 2003. The show prompted consideration of aliases in artistic…
Curator Ekaterina Dyogot critiques Manifesta's 'sponsored hobbies' and Documenta's post-colonial narrative opinion-review
In a 2003 discussion with Sven Spieker for ARTMargins Online, curator Ekaterina Dyogot from Moscow examined both Manifesta and Documenta. She characterized Manifesta's approach as…

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