Venice Biennale's Political Tensions, Abramović's Berlin Show, and Antisemitism Debates Dominate Art News
Political controversies are surrounding the Venice Biennale. According to Zachary Small in the New York Times, the U.S. Pavilion's selection of Jenni Parido, who lacks museum experience, has drawn criticism from curator Robert Storr. While the government asserts this choice reflects American excellence, political networks played a role in her appointment. In Le Monde, artists express concerns over Russia's participation amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, suggesting that art can exacerbate tensions. Oliver Basciano highlights the Biennale's historically apolitical stance since 1909, blending art with propaganda. Additionally, George Nelson interviews Agnes Gryczkowska regarding Marina Abramović's Berlin exhibition, while Karen Krüger in the FAZ discusses Maurizio Cattelan's event in Milan. Antisemitism discussions emerge over an Anne Frank portrait in Potsdam, and Israeli artist Amir Fattal faces backlash in Mexico City. Farah Nayeri reports on Olafur Eliasson's installation in Utah, which focuses on the Great Salt Lake ecosystem.
Key facts
- The U.S. Pavilion at the Venice Biennale appointed Jenni Parido, a non-professional, sparking criticism from curator Robert Storr.
- Russia's return to the Venice Biennale is criticized by a collective in Le Monde as using art for political warfare amid the Ukraine conflict.
- Oliver Basciano argues in ArtReview that the Venice Biennale has always been political, with national pavilions as soft power instruments since 1909.
- Marina Abramović's exhibition at Berlin's Gropius Bau shifts from individual to collective bodies, focusing on eroticism and discomfort.
- Maurizio Cattelan hosted a design object exchange event during Milan Design Week on Piazza del Duomo with around 300 participants.
- A portrait of Anne Frank with a kufiya at Potsdam's Fluxus Museum is under prosecutor review for Holocaust trivialization.
- Israeli artist Amir Fattal faced attacks in Mexico City, leading to the closure of his exhibition at König Galerie.
- Olafur Eliasson created an installation in Utah about the Great Salt Lake, using sounds from over 150 animal species to address climate crisis.
Entities
Artists
- Jenni Parido
- Robert Storr
- Alma Allen
- Marina Abramović
- Agnes Gryczkowska
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Achille Castiglioni
- Constantino Ciervo
- Amir Fattal
- Olafur Eliasson
- Reuven Rubin
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- New York Times
- Le Monde
- ArtReview
- Museum of Modern Art
- ARTnews
- Gropius Bau
- FAZ
- Milan Design Week
- Fluxus Museum
- taz
- König Galerie
- BDS
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Berlin
- Germany
- Milan
- Potsdam
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Utah
- United States
- Ukraine
- Russia