The Whitney Biennial, arguably the most important art exhibition in the US, is nearly upon once more, with this year’s edition opening to the public on March 20 and previews beginning next week. Expect plenty of talk about the show to start in the coming weeks, and plenty of debate to follow after that. mejahoki
But what, exactly, is the Whitney Biennial, and why does the exhibition still matter more than 80 editions on? Below is a handy guide to everything you need to know about the show.
What is the Whitney Biennial?
Alongside the Venice Biennale and Documenta, the Whitney Biennial is considered one of the world’s most important recurring art exhibitions. Unlike those art festivals, however, the Whitney Biennial has a stated focus, in that each edition is intended to provide a wide-ranging picture of the American art scene during its specific moment. Each edition is mounted by the Whitney Museum in New York, where artworks appear throughout the institution.
There are a number of recurring exhibitions in the US: Made in LA (a biennial running since 2012), Prospect New Orleans (founded in 2008), SITE Santa Fe International (since 1995, and recently relaunched as a biennial), New Museum Triennial (since 2009), and Greater New York (since 2000, and now held once every five years). Founded in 1896, the Carnegie International is the oldest exhibition of its kind within the country and is now held every four years. But none hold the same level of clout as the Whitney Biennial.
These days, the Whitney Biennial is typically composed of three parts: an exhibition held within the galleries, a film program, and a performance program. Certain editions, such as the 2012 one, have combined all the sections, however, so that the films and performances are also set within the galleries. mejahoki
