59th Carnegie International explores connection and inclusion in Pittsburgh

The 59th Carnegie International, titled 'If the word we', opened at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, running until 3 January 2027. Curated by Ryan Inouye, Danielle A. Jackson, and Liz Park, the exhibition borrows its title from Egyptian writer Haytham el-Wardany, who served as a 'thought partner'. The show emphasizes community and collaboration, creating intimate, tactile spaces such as Shala Miller's 'Flight' with a sloped bean bag and video, and Jasleen Kaur's 'Supra' with a carpeted room and false windows. Benin-born artist Georges Adéagbo's 'Le Socialisme Africain' features assemblages from local thrift stores, including Pittsburgh Steelers merchandise, highlighting tensions between high culture and accessibility. Offsite programming extends to the Mattress Factory, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Kamin Science Center, and Thelma Lovette YMCA. At the Mattress Factory, artists Arturo Kameya and Claudia Martínez Garay present a merged installation. The exhibition also includes works by RJ Messineo, Reina Sugihara, and a giant diorama by Walter Scott reading 'REALITY HAS LESS TO DO WITH ME THAN I THOUGHT'. The collective Silät, 100 women weavers from Salta, Argentina led by Claudia Alarcôn, exemplifies collaboration. The exhibition is less shocking than the 2022 edition, focusing on enveloping viewers rather than confronting them. Pennsylvania's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour contextualizes access issues for local visitors.