Recession Hits Whitney Biennial

The 2010 Whitney Biennial will reflect more than just American contemporary art of the past year. The economic climate has forced the typically grand retrospective to scale down. Though the 100 artists of 2006 were pared down to 81 in 2008, a mere 55 artists will display their works in the upcoming Biennial, which runs from February 25 through May 30. The exhibition will not spill over to into a second location, as previous Biennials have; instead, curator Francesco Bonami will contain the 2010 edition to the Whitney Museum of American Art’s permanent home. As always, however, Biennial attendees can expect a mix of artists, ranging from those who are well-known, like 75-year-old conceptual artist Lorraine O’Grady, to those who are up-and-coming, like 23-year-old photographer Tam Tran. Differences will certainly be noticeable with this Biennial—the theme is merely the year, 2010, and artists are limited to one work or series. Still, Bonami expects greatness from this year’s event. “Biennials are supposed to be a bridge to the future,” he says.