Satirical Polaroids from Manifesta 12: A Sardonic Take on Palermo's Biennial

Pietro Consolandi and Dario Forti offer a humorous, critical report on Manifesta 12 in Palermo (2018), blending irony with sharp observations. They recount the tension between the art world and local 'paesereale' (ordinary people), exemplified by a Palermitan's dismissive comment about the festival. The authors highlight performances by Matilde Cassani (coriandoli shower), Nora Turato (intimate audio at Oratorio di San Lorenzo), and Nuvola Ravera (painters documenting the art crowd). They critique the divide between art insiders and locals, noting graffiti as the only real communication. The procession by Marinella Senatore caused traffic chaos, with a coordinator shouting about the route. Positive mentions include Malin Franzén's botanical work, Michael Wang's installation at the Orto Botanico, Massimo Valsecchi's restoration of Palazzo Butera, and Roberto Collovà's 'Costa Sud' project. They mock Tania Bruguera's 'artivism' as superficial. The report ends with a call to the CIA via Peng! collective's 'Call a Spy' installation, resulting in a surreal conversation about a fixed football match. Overall, the authors admit Manifesta exceeded expectations, despite their initial cynicism.