Biennale Arte 2019: Market Perspective on a Chaotic, Identity-Driven Edition

The 58th Venice Biennale, curated by Ralph Rugoff under the title 'May You Live in Interesting Times,' is analyzed from an art market viewpoint. The edition is described as a 'glittering chaos' with overwhelming diversity in media and themes, including performative installations like Sun Yuan and Peng Yu's 'Can't Help Myself,' video animations by Ed Atkins and Jon Rafman, and a surge in painting by artists such as George Condo, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, and Nicole Eisenman. For the first time, female artists outnumber male artists, yet the top prizes went to men: Jimmie Durham (Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement) and Arthur Jafa (Golden Lion). The Biennale is noted for its market orientation, with a handful of galleries representing most artists, many of whom are prominent at Art Basel, Christie's, and Sotheby's. National pavilions were less compelling than the international exhibition, except for Lithuania, Brazil, and Australia. The Ghana Pavilion, designed by Sir David Adjaye, is seen as already belonging to the past. The article emphasizes the event's reflection on African identity, Afro-American claims, and themes of conflict, inequality, and violence, with special mentions to Teresa Margolles and Otobong Nkanga.