Alternatív hangok a kortárs képzőművészetben
Alternative Voices in Contemporary Visual Arts

Summary/Abstract: In 2022, two rare coinciding events took place: the 59th Venice Biennale and the 15th Kassel documenta. These two mega-events not only occurred in close temporal proximity but also shared a common approach, providing a platform for discourses on identity. At the 15th documenta, for the first time in its history, the role of curator was not assumed by a Western global star, but rather by an Indonesian group called ruangrupa, which invited additional collectives, including Asian, African, and South American groups, as well as Western/Northern artists collaborating with various marginalized communities. The 15th documenta, through its publications and exhibited projects, strongly echoed the voice of the global South. The curator of the 59th Venice Biennale essentially reversed the traditional ratio of male/female exhibitors, giving prominence to the voices of women. In both cases, the curatorial decisions allowed for the inclusion of less-heard voices (the global South, women), which is undoubtedly a commendable development. However, I consider it problematic that these alternative voices became dominant and monologic in these events, rather than fostering a dialogue with the reinterpreted Other.

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