Whitney Biennial 2006: Day for Night Challenges American Art Canon
The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York hosted the 2006 Whitney Biennial, named Day for Night, from March 2 to May 28, 2006. This edition, curated by Philippe Vergne from France and Chrissie Iles from Britain, was the first to have a designated title, inspired by François Truffaut's film. Among the highlights was the Peace Tower, a reconstruction by Mark di Suvero and Rirkrit Tiravanija, serving as a protest against the Iraq War. Additionally, Down by Law, organized by the Wrong Gallery, featured works from forty-four artists. Noteworthy contributions included creations by Elaine Sturtevant, Richard Serra, and Cameron Jamie. Vergne, in a pre-opening interview, discussed the precarious nature of art within cultural capitalism.
Key facts
- 2006 Whitney Biennial titled Day for Night
- First Biennial curated by non-Americans: Chrissie Iles (British) and Philippe Vergne (French)
- First Biennial with a title, referencing Truffaut's film
- Peace Tower reconstructed by Mark di Suvero and Rirkrit Tiravanija with over 200 artists
- Peace Tower originally built in 1966 in Los Angeles by Artists' Protest Committee
- Down by Law exhibition organized by Wrong Gallery (Cattelan, Gioni, Subotnick) with 44 artists
- Featured artists: Elaine Sturtevant, Richard Serra, Cameron Jamie, Tony Conrad, Michael Snow, Pierre Huyghe
- Philippe Vergne quoted on art's fleeting danger
- Biennial ran March 2 – May 28, 2006 at Whitney Museum, New York
Entities
Artists
- Chrissie Iles
- Philippe Vergne
- Mark di Suvero
- Rirkrit Tiravanija
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Ali Subotnick
- Jeremy Deller
- Elaine Sturtevant
- Richard Serra
- Cameron Jamie
- Tony Conrad
- Michael Snow
- Pierre Huyghe
- François Truffaut
Institutions
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Artists' Protest Committee
- Wrong Gallery
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Los Angeles
Sources
- artpress —