The 59th Carnegie International, titled "If the word we," has opened at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, marking North America's longest-running exhibition of international art. Featuring 61 artists and collectives from countries including Brazil, Benin, China, Indonesia, Lebanon, Peru, Taiwan, and South Africa, the exhibition explores the theme of "we" as an evolving proposition. It includes nearly 40 newly commissioned projects—the largest number in the International's history—spanning painting, photography, sculpture, installation, video, and theater. Notable works include Jonathan González's performance "The Strikebreakers" and Georges Adéagbo's installation "Le Socialism Africain," which uses discarded objects to examine Western power and colonial legacies in Africa.
This edition matters because it reaffirms the Carnegie International's role as a vital platform for global contemporary art, particularly in a city historically defined by industry. The exhibition extends beyond the museum to four partner institutions—the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Kamin Science Center, and Mattress Factory—emphasizing civic and social engagement. The record number of new commissions underscores a commitment to artistic experimentation and public interaction, while the thematic focus on collective identity resonates in an era of global polarization. The International continues to transform the museum into a site for cross-cultural dialogue, connecting local audiences with international perspectives.