France's Venice Biennale Selection Process Under Fire

The editorial in artpress n°434 (June 2016) criticizes the selection process for the French pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Historically, a curator chosen for expertise would select the artist(s) to represent France, a decision carrying the weight of the curator's commitment and the trust of the selection committee. However, the editorial implies that this process has been compromised, possibly by political or entertainment industry influences, as suggested by the phrase "Biennale de l’Entertainment de Venise." The text laments the erosion of curatorial independence and the shift toward spectacle over artistic merit.