Turner Prize Shortlist Criticized as Timid; Venice Biennale Politics and LA Museum Boom
In The Guardian, Eddy Frankel describes the 2026 Turner Prize shortlist as "timid," lacking the boldness seen in earlier years. He commends Marguerite Humeau's sculptures and Tanoa Sasraku's commentary on the oil sector. Kira Freije's installations are likened to an "enchanted scrapyard," while Simeon Barclay's performance is perceived as humorously unintended. Frankel critiques the selection for being insular and elitist. In Hyperallergic, Lisa Siraganian raises questions about the personhood of artworks, referencing Pierre Huyghe's "Liminal" at Venice. Marcus Woeller in Die Welt condemns the Venice Biennale jury's exclusion of ICC-sought nations as a political choice. Spencer Bailey interviews US sculptor Alma Allen, representing the US at the Biennale. Dirk Peitz discusses new museums in LA, while Lauren Collins covers the "Flops?!" exhibition in Paris for The New Yorker.
Key facts
- Eddy Frankel criticizes the Turner Prize shortlist as timid and safe in The Guardian.
- Marguerite Humeau's biomorphic sculptures are praised for hopeful future visions.
- Tanoa Sasraku's work satirizes the oil industry.
- Kira Freije creates installative scenes like an 'enchanted scrapyard'.
- Simeon Barclay's performance is criticized as over-earnest and unintentionally comedic.
- Lisa Siraganian questions extending personhood to non-humans in Hyperallergic.
- Pierre Huyghe's 'Liminal' at Venice features a human performer posing as a statue.
- Marcus Woeller criticizes Venice Biennale jury for excluding Russia and Israel.
- Alma Allen represents the US at Venice Biennale, selected via American Arts Conservancy.
- Hanno Rauterberg reports on LA's museum boom including LACMA, Lucas Museum, and Dataland.
- Exhibition 'Flops?!' at Musée des Arts et Métiers showcases failed inventions.
Entities
Artists
- Eddy Frankel
- Marguerite Humeau
- Tanoa Sasraku
- Kira Freije
- Simeon Barclay
- Lisa Siraganian
- Pierre Huyghe
- Marcus Woeller
- Pietrangelo Buttafuoco
- Spencer Bailey
- Alma Allen
- Dirk Peitz
- Hanno Rauterberg
- Lauren Collins
- Marjolaine Schuch
- Peter Zumthor
Institutions
- The Guardian
- Turner Prize
- Hyperallergic
- Die Welt
- Venice Biennale
- International Criminal Court
- Time Sensitive
- American Arts Conservancy
- Die Zeit
- LACMA
- Lucas Museum
- Dataland
- The New Yorker
- Musée des Arts et Métiers
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- United States
- Los Angeles
- Paris
- France