Catherine Millet Questions Boundaries and Hierarchies at the Venice Biennale
In an artpress editorial, Catherine Millet evaluates the 2013 Venice Biennale, which was curated by Massimiliano Gioni under the title "Il Palazzo Enciclopedico." She contends that the exhibition's equal representation of contemporary art, art brut, and fringe practices signifies a broadened artistic landscape, linking it to Documenta 5 and other historical precedents. Millet cautions that this indiscriminate amalgamation could result in a homogenous sea of art, blurring the lines between living and deceased artists. She critiques the dependence on outdated esoteric references and posits that the exhibition might conclude a cycle initiated by Documenta 5. Millet advocates for the reinstatement of boundaries and standards, highlighting Cindy Sherman's carte blanche as a standout feature and underscoring the importance of hierarchies in art.
Key facts
- The 2013 Venice Biennale is curated by Massimiliano Gioni under the title 'Il Palazzo Enciclopedico'.
- The exhibition presents contemporary art, art brut, outsider art, vernacular objects, and marginal practices on an equal footing.
- Millet traces the expansion of the artistic field to Documenta 5 by Harald Szeemann and 'Magiciens de la Terre' by Jean-Hubert Martin.
- She criticizes the exhibition's reliance on esoteric references to Jung, Steiner, and Madame Blavatsky.
- The exhibition includes Carl Andre's notebook 'Passport' and Mexican prisoners' handkerchiefs.
- Cindy Sherman was given a carte blanche, featuring Paul McCarthy, Hans Bellmer, Pierre Molinier, and amateur photographs.
- Millet argues that the exhibition may close a cycle and that new boundaries and criteria are needed.
- The editorial is written by Catherine Millet for artpress.
Entities
Artists
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Carl Andre
- Cindy Sherman
- Paul McCarthy
- Hans Bellmer
- Pierre Molinier
- Harald Szeemann
- Jean-Hubert Martin
- Jean Dubuffet
- Gaston Chaissac
- André Breton
- Philippe Muray
- Joseph Beuys
- Madame Blavatsky
- Carl Jung
- Rudolf Steiner
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- artpress
- Documenta 5
- Magiciens de la Terre
- Musée du Trocadéro
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
Sources
- artpress —