Art Review: Whitney Biennial

This year’s incarnation of the Whitney Biennial is Quiet as It’s Kept. The Whitney is dedicated to American contemporary art, and its Biennial, held since 1932, “captures the spirit of its time,” the museum’s director, Adam Weinberg, said at the press preview on Tuesday. It’s an impossible mission since the country is so big and disparate. Still, Mission Impossible did indeed hit its target every Saturday night. The curators at the Whitney selected work by 63 artists from all over America and a few from Canada and Mexico, which irks, since these artists aren’t American and I’m afraid I’m picky about rules and, besides, think Americans, Mexicans, and Canadians are distinct species.

I think it’s a very strong show. Good for the Whitney. I’ll write a series of Biennial stories, one now and another next week, and one or two after that. This is my introduction and preview, as the show is not open to the general public until April 6.

About the Author

Brian T. Allen

Brian T. Allen is National Review’s art critic.

This year’s incarnation of the Whitney Biennial is Quiet as It’s Kept. The Whitney is dedicated to American contemporary art, and its Biennial, held since 1932, “captures the spirit of its time,” the museum’s director, Adam Weinberg, said at the press preview on Tuesday. It’s an impossible mission since the country is so big and disparate. Still, Mission Impossible did indeed hit its target every Saturday night. The curators at the Whitney selected work by 63 artists from all over America and a few from Canada and Mexico, which irks, since these artists aren’t American and I’m afraid I’m picky about rules and, besides, think Americans, Mexicans, and Canadians are distinct species.

I think it’s a very strong show. Good for the Whitney. I’ll write a series of Biennial stories, one now and another next week, and one or two after that. This is my introduction and preview, as the show is not open to the general public until April 6.