Sunday, February 5, 2012

Allora and Calzadilla at US Pavillion

My intention with this blog was to stick with events happening during the time frame of the class, but since Veronica Roberts discussed the logistics behind Allora and Calzadilla's installation at the Venice Biennale I thought you might like to read about it and look at images of this work.  Be sure to click "more photos" and view the slide show. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/arts/design/allora-and-calzadilla-at-venice-biennale-review.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=allora%20venice&st=cse

In recent years, a number of artists selected to represent the US in the Venice Biennale have been fairly critical of American values, politics, etc.  American involvement in the Venice Biennale is administered by the US State Department.  Check out this 2010 call for museums to create proposals "to organize the official U.S. presentation."  A committee in the State Department chooses the curator/museum.  So is this art as propaganda?  Why is the government underwriting an installation such as Allora and Calzadilla's?

http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=50449





1 comment:

  1. Once you are seen as a representative for something things become political. If this was just another art exhibition, things would not be as scrutinized. Every little thing you do goes under the microscope when you represent your country. Suddenly you have to answer for the actions and beliefs of everyone. As insane as that is, it is what tends to happen.

    All good art has some basis in propaganda. A nonbiased presentation without trying to sway our emotions to get us on their side would be incredible dull. State sponsored art is interesting. It can enhance the prestige of the country if done right. As its artists gain more recognition, the country is seen as more cultured. It can also feed into the narratives developed by the state. The questioning of U.S. policy feeds into the idea that we allow free speech. By questioning authority we are still a tool of the state.

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