At the Whitney, a Biennial Gets Personal
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Criticism of the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Biennial has been a longstanding tradition since the 1970s, initially focused on insider disputes over artist selection and gallery influence.
- In the 1990s, critiques shifted toward issues of representation, accusing the Biennial of being too white, male-dominated, market-driven, and presenting a narrow view of America.
- Recent editions have made efforts to address these concerns, with the current Biennial featuring more than half of the 56 participants identifying as female and including many artists from countries historically impacted by U.S. intervention.
- These changes have sparked new debates and critical responses within the art world, reflecting evolving perspectives on diversity and inclusion in major art exhibitions
