Berlin's Dual Role Senator Sparks Controversy; Venice Biennale Faces Posthumous Curatorship and Political Boycotts
Following Sarah Wedl-Wilson's resignation, Berlin's finance senator, Stefan Evers, will assume the culture portfolio, a decision that Tobias Timm critiques in 'Die Zeit' as merely a temporary fix. Timm highlights a potential conflict of interest, noting that Evers, who oversees austerity measures, will now represent culture. Daniel Wesener also voices concerns, stating, "Kultursenator ist kein Nebenjob." At the Venice Biennale, Martin Herbert in 'ArtReview' explores how to assess Koyo Kouoh's posthumous exhibition 'In Minor Keys', which was finalized after her passing in May 2025. In a 'Zeit' interview, Israeli artist Belu-Simion Fainaru expresses disappointment over his exclusion from the Biennale competition, while Stefan Trinks in 'FAZ' criticizes the event's politicization and commends the German Pavilion.
Key facts
- Stefan Evers to become Berlin's culture senator alongside finance role after Sarah Wedl-Wilson's resignation.
- Tobias Timm criticizes the dual role as a conflict of interest in 'Die Zeit'.
- Daniel Wesener warns 'Kultursenator ist kein Nebenjob'.
- Koyo Kouoh's Biennale main exhibition 'In Minor Keys' completed posthumously after her death in May 2025.
- Martin Herbert questions how to critique a posthumous exhibition in 'ArtReview'.
- Belu-Simion Fainaru criticizes his exclusion from Venice Biennale competition in 'Zeit' interview.
- Stefan Trinks in 'FAZ' criticizes politicization of Biennale, exclusion of Israel and Russia.
- US Pavilion artist Alma Allen to 'promote American values'.
- German Pavilion praised for subtle historical questions.
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Belu-Simion Fainaru
- Alma Allen
Institutions
- Berlin Senate
- Die Zeit
- ArtReview
- FAZ
- Venice Biennale
- Israeli Pavilion
- Russian Pavilion
- US Pavilion
- German Pavilion
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- Venice
- Italy