At this year's Venice Biennale, the United States pavilion opted for a lackluster display, leaving critics questioning what 'land of the bland' means. Editor-in-Chief Hakim Bishara sheds light on the disappointing exhibition, noting how Jeffrey Gibson and Simone Leigh’s works in previous years celebrated Indigenous life and Black sovereignty with vigour.
Elsewhere, Editor-at-Large Hrag Vartanian offers a glimpse into 'In Minor Keys', an unexpected symphony comprising the Biennale's main exhibition. Meanwhile, Greta Rainbow reports from a poetry procession honouring Koyo Kouoh, the late artistic director of the Biennale, with a moving tribute led by María Magdalena Campos-Pons.
Adding intrigue to the mix is Erin L. Thompson’s reflections on a film about an unlikely friendship between a painter and a forger. The piece stars Ian McKellen as the artist and Michaela Coel as his hired hand in completing his unfinished masterpieces, prompting viewers to ponder the intersection of art and authenticity.
