Review of 'The Manifesta Decade' Book on European Biennials and Post-Wall Art Exhibitions

Released in 2006 by MIT Press, 'The Manifesta Decade' is a 340-page compilation overseen by editors Barbara Vanderlinden and Elena Filipovic. This work delves into international biennials, particularly focusing on Manifesta, which began in 1996. It features a timeline of significant occurrences since 1989, including the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin on November 4, 1995, and highlights from the 52nd Carnegie International Biennial. Established by the Dutch government, Manifesta replaced the Paris Biennale and has taken place in cities such as Rotterdam and Luxembourg, with one planned event in Nicosia ultimately canceled. Contributions from notable figures like Hou Hanru and Okwui Enwezor provide critiques of globalization and political events, also referencing Jean-Hubert Martin's 1989 exhibition and Robert Filiou's earlier biennial concept. This publication serves as a record of Manifesta's impact amid changing geopolitical landscapes.