ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

36th São Paulo Biennial Criticized, MASP Hosts Bacon and Andrade Show, Hal Foster Talks Art Struggles

festival-fair · 2026-04-19

The 36th Bienal de São Paulo has been criticized for its perplexing presentation, which has made it difficult for some attendees to connect with the artworks. Meanwhile, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) is showcasing an exhibition that pairs Francis Bacon with Mário de Andrade, a combination deemed unconventional. Critic Hal Foster notes that every aspect of art embodies a struggle. Furthermore, the publication arte!brasileiros was honored with the ABCA award for its contributions to advancing visual arts through media. These occurrences underscore ongoing discussions and accolades within Brazil's contemporary art landscape, particularly regarding the biennial's accessibility and interpretative challenges.

Key facts

  • The 36th Bienal de São Paulo is criticized for lacking context.
  • MASP is hosting an exhibition with Francis Bacon and Mário de Andrade.
  • Hal Foster states that everything in art is a struggle.
  • arte!brasileiros won the ABCA award for visual arts media dissemination.
  • The biennial's theme is not explicitly stated in the source.
  • The exhibition at MASP is described as an esquisito (strange) encounter.
  • The ABCA award recognizes efforts in art diffusion.
  • The events are covered in a Brazilian art publication.

Entities

Artists

  • Francis Bacon
  • Mário de Andrade
  • Hal Foster

Institutions

  • Bienal de São Paulo
  • Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP)
  • arte!brasileiros
  • ABCA

Locations

  • São Paulo
  • Brazil

Sources