Get ready for some serious art invading Western New York this summer. The inaugural Medina Triennial is launching on June 6, bringing 39 artists and their boundary-pushing creations to the historic Erie Canal.
Because apparently, a quiet canal town is exactly where you put a global art exhibition featuring names you'd usually find in Venice.
Big Names, Big Ideas
Among the headliners is Lina Lapelytė, fresh off her turn at the 2019 Venice Biennale. She'll be presenting Faithfully Recording, which sounds exactly as intriguing as you'd hope. Palestinian photographer Taysir Batniji is also making an appearance, marking his third biennial this year — the man is busy. And Mexican artist Tania Candiani will debut Two Waters, part of a series focusing on, you guessed it, bodies of water. Fitting, given the location.
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Start Your News DetoxBut it's not all international jet-setters. Buffalo native Asad Raza is literally redirecting water from the Erie Canal into one of the venues. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying. Also featured is the late Jay Carrier (Onondaga/Tuscarora Nations, Wolf Clan), a painter from Niagara Falls whose work will be on display.
The Theme? All That Sustains Us
The Triennial's co-artistic directors, Kari Conte and Karin Laansoo, are leaning into the theme "All That Sustains Us," with a heavy emphasis on ecology and sustainability. They credit artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles, who is also exhibiting, as the inspiration. Clearly, someone's been thinking about more than just pretty pictures.
Conte and Laansoo hope visitors will see Medina not just as a backdrop, but as the beating heart of the entire event. Which means the Erie Canal isn't just a scenic waterway; it's practically a co-curator. So, if you're looking for art that makes you think, and perhaps makes you want to hug a tree (or at least appreciate a canal), Western New York has you covered.
