Art21 Magazine’s Year in Art, 2016

Pedro Reyes. Sanatorium, 2011-present. Group activity, props, relational objects. Installation view of “Transmigration Express,” 2011. Photo: © Kristopher Mckay. Courtesy of Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York.

Pedro Reyes. Sanatorium, 2011-present. Group activity, props, relational objects. Installation view of “Transmigration Express,” 2011. Photo: © Kristopher Mckay. Courtesy of Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York.


Our top articles

The most-read posts of 2016, determined by the number of views.

Jean-Michel Basquiat. Le Jour ni l’Heure, detail, 1988. Courtesy of Renaud Camus. Latino/a Art: Race and the Illusion of Equality” by Arlene Davila | Jun 20, 2016

Scholar Arlene Davila uncovers an ugly truth in the art world and society at large: diversity is not the same as the lack of racism.

Tala Madani. Love Doctor, 2015. Collection of Christina Papadopoulou. Photo courtesy of Josh White.

Unapologetic: Women Artists and Power through Vulnerability” by Rachel Gagnon | Aug 31, 2016

A selection of quotes and artworks from Art21-featured women artists proving that vulnerability and weakness are by no means synonymous.

 

syrian-artists-interview-cover-photo-largev2Confronting Crisis: An Interview with Syrian Artists Tammam Azzam, Sara Shamma & Kevork Mourad” by Lindsey Davis | Jan 21, 2016

These three Syrian artists left their homes behind, and their bodies of work have been forever changed by the war tearing their nation apart. In this extended interview we find answers to the question: What is life like as a refugee and artist?


Our most-read issue

According to the number of views and shares.

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Renewal

May/June 2016

Guest Editor: Willa Köerner


Art & education

This year we introduced Art21 Educator Spotlights and began publishing lesson plans as creativity exercises for lifelong learners both inside and outside the classroom.

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Don Ball

9-12 grade | Mississauga, Ontario

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Shannah Burton

K-6 grade | Saint Louis, Missouri

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Jack Watson

6-12 grades | Durham, North Carolina


Your favorite short films

Our 2016 videos with the highest number of views.

Art21 Exclusive—”Sarah Sze: How We See the World” | March 25, 2016

Art21 Exclusive–”Nick Cave: Thick Skin” | October 7, 2016


The issues we care about

Racial equality

Gender equality

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Letter from the Editor” by Ben McCoy

Disrupting the art world

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Looking For Ruins” by Catherine Wagley


A huge thank you to all our readers and contributors in 2016! ❄️

This is just a small selection of the writing we published here on the Art21 Magazine in 2016. Read all six of our 2016 issues, exploring themes from “Renewal” to “Illusion” to “Place.”

Is there something you’d like to see more of in 2017? Anything we can improve on? Leave a comment below.