Summary of Whitney Biennial 2017 by Christopher Y. Lew and Mia Locks
Immerse yourself in the chaotic brilliance of the Whitney Biennial 2017, where art, activism, and cultural commentary collide in unexpected ways.
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Ah, the Whitney Biennial 2017! The art event that promises to be as pretentious as the coffee at your local artisanal café. This isn't your average biennial; it's an exhibition where art meets a delightful concoction of confusion, intellect, and critical commentary, all while wearing designer glasses. So, buckle up, because we're diving into this illustrated extravaganza that is more than just pictures of things your parents would never understand.
First off, let's set the stage. The Whitney Biennial is essentially like the Olympics for contemporary art, except nobody is wearing spandex or competing for medals-unless, of course, you count the mental gymnastics required to appreciate certain pieces. This edition was co-curated by Christopher Y. Lew and Mia Locks, who decided that the world needed an art show that captures the current zeitgeist of American culture. Spoiler alert: it's complicated, messy, and occasionally, quite beautiful.
The 2017 Biennial features a motley crew of artists-over 63 of them-who dove headfirst into topics like social justice, identity politics, and what it's like to exist in a world that may or may not be on fire. There's multimedia, painting, sculpture, and even installations that make you question your life choices-and that awkward moment when you pretended to understand contemporary art in front of your friends and ended up nodding along like a bobblehead.
In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion about everything, the Biennial serves as a sounding board, where artists challenge societal norms with works that blur the lines between art and activism. Expect to see pieces that tackle everything from racial inequality to the thriving meme culture-yes, the artists of the Biennial might actually be smarter than your average internet troll.
One highlight among the chaos includes a 300-pound sculpture that is a huge statement about consumerism-because nothing says "I care about climate change" like a massive hunk of art made from industrial waste. Who knew that waste could be so trendy?
Now, let's talk about the vibe. If you're picturing snooty art critics sipping their overpriced wine while wearing black turtlenecks, you wouldn't be wrong. But don't let that intimidate you. The modern art world welcomes everyone, even if you only read the summary on Wikipedia. One key takeaway from the exhibition is that it prompts discussions-some of which can get heated, so prepare yourself for a philosophical battle over what constitutes "art" versus "a mess that someone accidentally left at a gallery."
As we wrap up our tour through this wild art landscape, remember that the Whitney Biennial 2017 isn't just about the pieces on display; it's about how they resonate with our times. Whether you find yourself nodding at a poignant work about social issues or scratching your head at something so avant-garde that it looks like a toddler's art project, you're part of the conversation.
In conclusion, if you're looking to feel culturally enlightened without really knowing what's going on, the Whitney Biennial 2017 has your back. It's an artistic rollercoaster where you can laugh, cry, and maybe even feel smart for five minutes before you head back to scrolling through cat videos online. Enjoy your art adventure!
Maddie Page
Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.