The Medina Triennial has announced the artist lineup for its inaugural edition, set to open on June 6 in the Western New York village of Medina. Curated by co-artistic directors Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo, the exhibition features 39 international and local artists, including Venice Biennale winner Lina Lapelytė, Taysir Batniji, and Tania Candiani. The event is centered around the Erie Canal and explores the theme "All That Sustains Us," focusing on ecology, sustainability, and community exchange.
This new triennial represents a significant cultural investment in a rural region, aiming to transform a small village into a destination for contemporary art. By blending high-profile international figures with local Buffalo and Niagara-based artists, the organizers are attempting to create a site-specific model that prioritizes environmental issues and regional history. The inclusion of major commissions, such as Asad Raza’s water redirection project, signals an ambitious effort to engage with the local landscape as more than just a backdrop.