Whitney Biennial 2017: Humanness and Political Urgency in Trump Era

The 78th Whitney Biennial, curated by Christopher Y. Lew and Mia Locks since early 2016, opened at the Whitney Museum of American Art from March 17 to June 11, 2017. Featuring 63 artists, the exhibition emphasizes 'humanness' as a guiding principle, exploring social and political themes across American society. Works include Henry Taylor's paintings and Deana Lawson's photographs addressing African-American daily life, Tala Madani's sexual perversions, Raul De Nieves' religious stained-glass installations, and Occupy Museums' critique of artist debt (approximately $43 million) and wealth inequality, quoting BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. Pope.L's installation with salami slices on portraits and Jordan Wolfson's violent VR piece 'Real Violence' confront viewers with visceral experiences. Samara Golden's mirrored installation juxtaposes luxury and homelessness. Despite its breadth, the biennial is described as 'polite' and politically cautious, with Lew stating the goal is to ask questions rather than provide answers.