Opinion & reviews

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

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Venice Biennale Opens in Turmoil as Prizes Lose Cultural Authority opinion-review
The Venice Biennale opened on Saturday in complete disarray, with the EU pulling its funding, the jury resigning over country eligibility, the Golden Lion replaced by a people's…
Venice's survival threatened by tides and overtourism, warns writer Antonio Scurati opinion-review
Italian writer Antonio Scurati published an op-ed in Le Monde warning that Venice's survival is endangered by both rising lagoon waters and mass tourism. He calls on the future…
Buttafuoco's Biennale Opening Speech Sparks Controversy Over Censorship and Anti-Western Bias opinion-review
President Buttafuoco opened the Biennale with a passionate defense of institutional autonomy, asserting the Biennale's role as a non-judgmental platform for dialogue and…
Why High Megapixel Cameras Are Unnecessary for Most Photographers opinion-review
A technical analysis argues that the ongoing pixel war among camera manufacturers is largely irrelevant for most photographers. The article explains that a 20.4-megapixel camera…
Lav Diaz's 'Magellan' and Texas Meteor Crater: Humanizing History and Space opinion-review
Lav Diaz’s film 'Magellan,' running nearly three hours, made its debut at the Austin Film Society Cinema. This 2025 production, featuring Gael García Bernal, reexamines Ferdinand…
Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson Star in 'The Sheep Detectives' opinion-review
The film 'The Sheep Detectives,' starring Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson, is an adaptation of a critically acclaimed 'sheep crime novel.' Despite the source material's…
Jimi Hendrix's Charisma as a Double-Edged Sword opinion-review
The article examines the phenomenon of the charismatic frontman, using Jimi Hendrix as a case study. It argues that while Hendrix's magnetic stage presence and musical innovation…
Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel discuss art, fakery, and cinema's evolution opinion-review
Actors Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel shared insights on art, authenticity, and the maturation of cinema in a conversation. McKellen, known for his stage and screen career, and…
BR-Skandal um „Klar“: Claas Relotius und die Elbe-Schule in Neukölln opinion-review
In Neukölln ist ein kleiner Skandal um die BR-Sendung „Klar“ und deren Moderatorin Julia Ruhs entbrannt. Im Mittelpunkt steht die Elbe-Schule, die kürzlich in den Nachrichten war.…
Fukuyama acknowledges China as viable political alternative to democracy opinion-review
Francis Fukuyama, author of the 'end of history' thesis, now acknowledges that authoritarian China may be a viable political model. In a podcast with Sam Harris, Fukuyama stated…
Trump's actions signal end of old world order, universities may shape future opinion-review
The previous global framework has collapsed, yet its successor is uncertain. Erratic behavior from US President Donald Trump has indicated the dissolution of the multilateral…
Ildikó Enyedi's 'Silent Friend' Explores Plant-Human Connection Across Eras opinion-review
Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi's new film 'Silent Friend' follows three lonely experimenters from different historical periods as they attempt to unlock the secrets of plants.…
Carlo Rovelli Argues There Is No Hard Problem of Consciousness opinion-review
Theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli, known for his work on quantum gravity, challenges the widely accepted notion of a "hard problem of consciousness" in an essay for Noema…
Zurbarán's Crucifixion: A Weighty Conundrum opinion-review
Letters to the Guardian respond to Charlotte Higgins's appraisal of Francisco de Zurbarán, noting that his painting The Crucified Christ, like many depictions of the scene, fails…
Podcast with Björn Höcke Reveals Self-Perception as 'Lovable' opinion-review
The podcast 'Ungeskriptet' features a 4.5-hour interview with Björn Höcke, a prominent AfD politician. Höcke describes himself as 'nice' as a child, 'popular' as a young teacher,…
Freud's Theory Explains Right-Wing Populism's Appeal opinion-review
A recent opinion piece in the Süddeutsche Zeitung argues that right-wing populism, as seen with the AfD in Germany, represents a collective regression driven by unconscious…
The Design Flaw in California's Proposition 65 Warning Labels opinion-review
Burkey Belser (1947–2023), the graphic designer of the Nutrition Facts Panel, created one of the 20th century's most important designs. But a recent purchase of gluten-free…
Grüne-Jugend-Chef kritisiert Merz-Regierung für Sozialstaatsabbau opinion-review
Luis Bobga, Co-Vorsitzender der Grünen Jugend, wirft der Regierung von Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz in einem Gastbeitrag für die Wochenzeitung 'der Freitag' vor, den Sozialstaat…
Sandra Laugier on free speech weaponization in France and US opinion-review
Philosopher Sandra Laugier argues in a Le Monde op-ed that free speech has never been more invoked by its enemies in both France and the United States. She points to the recent…
The Historical Invention of the Future and Its Modern Discontents opinion-review
Joshua Rothman's latest essay in The New Yorker explores the evolving perceptions of the future from 1517 to 1793, heavily referencing Reinhart Koselleck’s work, 'Futures Past'.…
Exhaustion as Collective Condition: Art's Role in a Tired Society opinion-review
82% of Germans perceive the pace of change as too fast, personal optimism is declining, and trust in politics and the economy is eroding, according to the current Ipsos Global…
Remarkably Bright Creatures film review: Sally Field and an octopus star in sentimental story opinion-review
A film adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's novel 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' features Sally Field and a computer-generated octopus in a sentimental narrative. The review, published…
Elke Heidenreich on Safety vs. Poetry in Life opinion-review
In the ninth installment of her column "Heidenreichs Fundstücke," author Elke Heidenreich reflects on the increasing safety measures in modern life—such as seatbelt laws, helmet…
Over 4,700 European film professionals sign open letter defending EU MEDIA programme opinion-review
More than 4,700 European film professionals have signed an open letter titled 'Cinema, the beating heart of European democracy' in defense of the EU's MEDIA programme. The letter,…
Schwarze Komiker wehren sich gegen linke Bevormundung opinion-review
Ein Artikel in der NZZ thematisiert, wie schwarze Komiker sich gegen linke Bevormundung wehren. Der Autor beschreibt, dass Migranten und Flüchtlinge, die keine linke Haltung…
Tagliapietra's Essay on Shamelessness in Contemporary Society opinion-review
An essay by Tagliapietra, published on doppiozero, argues that shamelessness has transformed from a vice into a required competence in contemporary society. The text contends that…
Romería film review: a bold coming-of-age leap opinion-review
The film Romería receives a positive review, praised as a dazzling coming-of-age tale that takes a bold imaginative leap. The review is published by the Financial Times.
Ludovic Lagarde stages Martin Crimp's absurdist play at Athénée opinion-review
Ludovic Lagarde directs Martin Crimp's play "Des hommes endormis" at the Athénée theatre. The production suffers from an excess of absurdity, according to a review. The play…
Grasset Authors Protest Authoritarianism in French Publishing opinion-review
In a New York Times opinion piece, authors from the French publishing house Grasset have issued a manifesto against authoritarianism, asserting that a publishing house should not…
Christiane Rösinger Rejects Longevity, Advocates for Punk Attitude in Aging opinion-review
Christiane Rösinger, 65, criticizes the longevity trend in a Freitag article, arguing that society's obsession with youth and anti-aging is misguided. She feels comfortable in her…
Berlin's May Day: Cultural Critique Amidst City's Seasonal Transformation opinion-review
The article reflects on Berlin's dual identity during the days around May 1st, when the city transforms into 'Sommerberlin'—a vibrant, outdoor-oriented version of itself. This…
Wild Foxes: Boxing Film Explores Vulnerability opinion-review
The film 'Wild Foxes' presents a young boxer discovering his vulnerability, where striking hard carries a self-destructive quality. The review, published by Süddeutsche Zeitung,…
Kokuho film review: maximalist kabuki drama opinion-review
A film review of Kokuho, described as a maximalist kabuki drama that offers an antidote to micro-dramas. The review is published by the Financial Times.
Nine artists and curators debate whether art must take a political stance opinion-review
In a feature on Artribune, nine artists and curators respond to the question of whether art should engage with politics. Marco Trulli argues art must question power systems and…
AfD-Verbotsdebatte: Wohlstandsverteilung als Schlüssel gegen Rechtsruck opinion-review
Die Debatte um ein Verbot der AfD gewinnt an Dringlichkeit, da die Partei in Sachsen-Anhalt Umfragewerte von über 40 Prozent erreicht. Der Artikel argumentiert, dass ein Verbot…
Germany's Military Buildup: A Stress Test for the Zeitenwende opinion-review
81 years after the surrender of Nazi Germany, the Federal Republic is rising to become the strongest conventional military power in Europe. The article questions whether this can…
Russia's Venice Biennale return threatens cultural isolation opinion-review
Russia's planned return to the Venice Biennale risks undermining the event's cultural relevance, according to a Financial Times opinion piece. The article argues that allowing…
Pulitzer winner Percival Everett on Trump's insecurity and vindictiveness opinion-review
In an interview with NZZ, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Percival Everett discusses Donald Trump's personality, describing him as insecure and vindictive. The conversation also…
Nonprofit Arts Organizations Must Prioritize Community Impact Over Ticket Sales opinion-review
In a critical opinion piece published on ArtsJournal on May 7, 2026, the author argues that while art itself is essential, nonprofit arts organizations often fail to act as…
Milan's Transformation into a Gated Global City for the Wealthy opinion-review
Milan has transformed dramatically from an industrial hub into a 'gated city' catering to the global elite, largely due to a flat tax initiative introduced in 2017 that drew in…

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