2008 Carnegie International 'Life on Mars' Critiqued for Narrow Artist Selection and Curatorial Overreach

The 55th Carnegie International, named 'Life on Mars' after a song by David Bowie, debuted in 2008 at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. Curator Douglas Fogle designed the exhibition to explore profound questions regarding human existence, yet the choice of 39 artists faced backlash due to a lack of geographic and gender variety. Nearly 17% of the artists were also featured in the New Museum's 'Unmonumental' exhibition, including notable figures such as Mark Bradford, Cao Fei, and Susan Philipsz. Only twelve women participated, with the majority of artists hailing from the US or Europe. The signature artwork was Paul Thek's 1974 piece 'Untitled (Earth Drawing I),' while Mike Kelley showcased seven pieces from his 'Kandor' series. Other prominent artists included Fischli and Weiss, Bruce Conner, and Vija Celmins. The advisory committee featured Eungie Joo from the New Museum. Historically, the Carnegie International was initiated by Andrew Carnegie to enhance the museum's collection through international art. Despite being a significant contemporary art event for Pittsburgh, the 2008 exhibition was criticized for its predictable artist lineup and overly broad themes.