January 9, 2023
Good morning. 🌤️ Now that the holidays are over I'm delighted to be back to planning my art calendar for the year.
One of the things I've been thinking quite a bit about is -iennials. I'm starting to really wonder if the idea is past its expiry date (for most of them, anyway). What is a biennial or triennial other than an attempt by an institution, government, or wealthy donor to attract buzz around something that doesn't already have any? The concepts for the shows tend to be quite thin (or esoteric or dull) and we don't always get a good sense of an artist's body of work in the process. The art community thrives on reinvention, and I can't help but think this is a good opportunity for that to happen. Fingers crossed.
And if you haven't already, I recommend filling out the ArtTable survey about equality in compensation in the arts. If you are unsure why it's important, I suggest reading Jessica L. Porter's opinion piece from last week that explains, "Comprehensive contemporary compensation data does not exist for arts workers and thus neither does compensation equality. With this survey, we will understand how broader systems of inequality relate to arts professionals’ compensation and use this information as a tool for change."
— Hrag Vartanian, editor-in-chief
Pussy Riot Rocks Reykjavík
Coursing through Velvet Terrorism is graphic evidence of how these spirited women have been constantly attacked by the patriarchy. | Gregory Volk
SPONSORED
Raelis Vasquez & Polly Shinder’s latest paintings, exclusive to Platform
The highly sought-after painters join 12 other accomplished artists whose new works are available in Platform’s January selection. Available artworks include Vasquez’s intimate works on paper; Casey Jex Smith’s intricate drawings; and the fantastical paintings of Andrew Catanese, whose solo show at Johansson Projects opened this week.
Buy them now on Platform
THE LATEST
Images of Robert van Embricqs's "Flow Wall Desk" stowed away (left) and in use (right) (courtesy Robert van Embricqs)
Dutch designer Robert van Embricqs is taking Instagram by storm with his modular furniture.
An artist was banned from a popular Reddit art community based on accusations that his work looked too much like AI-generated art.
SPONSORED
New York City Ballet Art Series Presents DRIFT’s Shylight
The dancing sculpture will be on view at three special performances in January and February. Tickets are on sale now. Learn more.
ON HEALING
Doses of Relief in Ibrahim El-Salahi’s Drawings of Pain
His “Pain Relief Drawings” demonstrate how art serves as a way for the artist to cope with strife. | Rebecca Schiffman
SPONSORED
Access, Outliers, and Exhibiting Disability
Join the New-York Historical Society on January 13 for a virtual conversation on disability narratives with Catherine Morris, Lynne Cooke, Matthew Higgs, and Park McArthur. Learn more.
On the Limits of Healing
Can anyone truly heal from a traumatic experience? | Nina Mdivani
SPONSORED
Art and Research Integral for MFA Students at Vermont College of Fine Arts
Foundational to VCFA’s MFA in Visual Art program, Visual Culture Research Projects expand and transform students’ studio practices with individualized study plans. Learn more.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Audubon’s ‘Birds of America,’ Updated for Our Polluted World
Artist John LaMacchia seamlessly integrates human trash into detailed bird portraits that mimic Audubon’s watercolors. | Claire Voon
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