The Whitney Biennial, a survey of American art begun in 1932, has long been a platform for a wide range of artistic representation. The exhibition for 2022, titled Quiet As It’s Kept, is made up of a diverse array of mediums, covering themes of abstraction, narrative, and the challenge of defining what is “American.” Two of the featured artists are currently based in Providence: Tony Cokes and Michael E. Smith. Cokes’ work consists of video installations which recycle the words of notable figures from Judith Butler to John Lewis, juxtaposed against brightly colored slideshows. Smith is a sculptor, transforming common objects to create social commentary. The exhibition will remain open on partial viewing through October 16th.
Parsa Zaheri considers the evolution of Renaissance art and the differing artistic styles found within the two-hundred years of the Renaissance. He pays particular attention to identifying the key historical moments serving as the birth and death of each Renaissance art movement.
This article delves into the fluid yet complex "whiplash" motif of Art Nouveau, tracing its aesthetic grace back to unsettling colonial histories. Drawing from Debora L. Silverman’s work, the essay explores how Belgian modernism, particularly the works of Henry van de Velde, is rooted in the brutal exploitation of Congo's rubber industry. It calls for deeper reflection on the role of art in representing, confronting, or even concealing the painful legacies embedded within its fluid lines.
Eiden talks with the Art Review about his recent capstone show, his architecture thesis, and craft in the age of technological innovation.