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Whitney Biennial: Recession Art

Survey of American art world strikes a modest note

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 10:20 AM CST
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(Newser) – This weekend sees the opening in New York of the Whitney Biennial, the always controversial survey of contemporary American art. The theme this time around is lowered expectations, writes Holland Cutter for the New York Times, and the result is a modest, low-key, sparsely populated affair. "A biennial for a recession-bound time? That’s one impression it gives," writes Cotter.

With about 80 artists, this is one of the smallest exhibitions in years. The curators have chosen work that utilizes "down-market materials" such as plastic and plywood, as well as "all kinds of found and recycled ingredients, otherwise known as trash." Assemblage and collage are the standard media; fans of painting "will be on a near-starvation diet."

The mixed-media installation Untitled, 2006 by Charles Long is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)
The mixed-media installation "Untitled, 2006" by Charles Long is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)   (Associated Press)
The mixed-media installation Something crossed the mind (embellished three times), 2008 by Heather Rowe is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)
The mixed-media installation "Something crossed the mind (embellished three times), 2008" by Heather Rowe is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara...   (Associated Press)
The mixed-media installation Untitled (BLCK-We wear the mask), 2007-08 by Adler Guerrier is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)
The mixed-media installation "Untitled (BLCK-We wear the mask), 2007-08" by Adler Guerrier is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)   (Associated Press)
An unidentified woman is shown viewing art at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)
An unidentified woman is shown viewing art at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)   (Associated Press)
The mixed-media installation While enhancing a Diminishing Deep Down Thirst, the Juice Broke Loose (the Birth of a Soda Shop), 2008 by Phoebe Washburn is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney Museum in New York on March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Sara Rose)
The mixed-media installation "While enhancing a Diminishing Deep Down Thirst, the Juice Broke Loose (the Birth of a Soda Shop), 2008" by Phoebe Washburn is shown at the Whitney Biennial at the Whitney...   (Associated Press)
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