The Whitney Museum Biennial is a landmark event in the contemporary art world, showcasing the most innovative and compelling works by both emerging and established American artists. This guide provides an overview of the Biennial’s history, highlights from past exhibitions, and essential information about 2024’s edition.
As one of the most prestigious and longest-running exhibitions of contemporary American art, the Biennial has played a crucial role in shaping the direction of American art., It offers a vital platform for both emerging and established artists to present their work. Held every two years since 1932, the Biennial provides a snapshot of current trends and ideas in contemporary art. What sets it apart is its consistent engagement with the pressing social, cultural, and political issues of the time, making it a barometer of American art’s response to contemporary challenges.
The 2024 Whitney Biennial, titled Even Better Than the Real Thing, explores the shifting realities of our digital age, and the blurred boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds. With 71 artists and collectives, it promises a mix of thought-provoking art, performances, and interactive experiences.
The theme, "Even Better Than the Real Thing", focuses on how artificial intelligence, digital media, and technology enhance, distort, and recreate reality. Artists are responding with works that question what is real and what is constructed or altered.
Notable artists include Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst, who will showcase “Proto”, an AI-generated choral project that blurs the line between human and machine voices. Torkwase Dyson contributes “I Can Drink the Distance: Plantationocene in Four Acts”, a sculptural exploration of spatial and environmental justice. Cannupa Hanska Luger presents “The Future Doesn’t Eat”, a multimedia installation combining video, ceramics, and sound to challenge colonial narratives. Diane Severin Nguyen exhibits “If Revolution is a Sickness”, a video installation that examines revolution, memory, and diaspora.
To see the Whitney Biennial artworks, all you need is a standard admission ticket to the museum. Simply purchase your museum entry tickets and you'll have access to all the Biennial exhibitions. This ticket grants access to both the Biennial and the museum's permanent collection.
Location: The Whitney Museum is situated at 99 Gansevoort Street, New York City, right in the heart of the Meatpacking District. (Find on Maps)
Timings: The opening hours of the museum remains the same during the Whitney Biennial. You can explore the exhibits from 10:30am to 6pm on all days except Tuesdays, with extended hours on Fridays until 10pm for those who prefer an evening visit.
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The Whitney Museum Biennial is a major contemporary art exhibition held every two years at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. It features a diverse range of works by American artists and serves as a platform to explore current trends and innovative practices in contemporary art.
The 2024 Whitney Biennial opened on March 20, 2024, and will run until September 29, 2024. This edition promises to feature a wide range of contemporary artists and will continue the tradition of highlighting the latest trends and themes in American art.
No, you don’t need a separate ticket for the Whitney Biennial. Your general admission ticket to the museum covers access to all exhibitions, including the Biennial.
Artists are selected through a rigorous process that involves recommendations from curators, art critics, and other professionals in the art community. The selection aims to represent a broad spectrum of artistic practices and backgrounds, ensuring that both emerging and established artists have the opportunity to participate.
Yes, the 2024 Whitney Biennial offers a variety of special events, including live performances, artist talks, and panel discussions. Notable highlights include JJJJJerome Ellis’s "Offerings", a sound-based performance running from 2nd to 4th August, and Alex Tatarsky’s "FEELING$ FEELING$ FEELING$" on 20th and 21st July.
