Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief of Hyperallergic, reflects on the 61st Venice Biennale after returning to New York, describing it as historical, political, and thrilling. He counters critics who claimed the Biennale imploded due to boycotts and resignations, arguing it was more alive than ever. The late Koyo Kouoh's main exhibition "In Minor Keys" is praised for reflecting global woes and joys. The article also highlights a major strike by artists and cultural workers that disrupted the pre-opening, the first cultural strike in the Biennale's 131-year history, with 54 artists in the international exhibition and 22 national pavilion teams withdrawing from awards consideration in solidarity with the jury's resignation.
This matters because the Venice Biennale is one of the most prestigious international art exhibitions, and the strike and withdrawals signal a growing movement among artists to protest institutional politics, funding issues, and geopolitical conflicts. The event underscores tensions between art, activism, and global crises, while also celebrating the resilience of local art workers and activists. The article also previews several New York art fairs (Frieze, TEFAF, 1-54, Independent, NADA, Future Fair) and reports on other news, including the merger of Ronald Lauder's Neue Galerie with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the death of artist Mary Lovelace O'Neal.