City of Gwangju Attributes Biennale’s Taiwan Pavilion Controversy to ‘Insufficient Communication’
The South Korean city of Gwangju apologized after controversy over the naming of the Gwangju Biennale’s Taiwan Pavilion, which was initially renamed in promotional materials before being restored following protests. The pavilion was at one point labeled the “NTMoFA Pavilion,” referencing the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture accused the biennial of “political censorship.” After an open letter from participating artists, the biennial reverted to “Taiwan Pavilion” and denied the change was intended to appease China, which does not recognize Taiwan as a nation and also participates in the biennial. China subsequently ordered its pavilion’s artists not to exhibit and halted work on their presentation. In a Monday statement, Jeonnam Gwangju City said the title did not alter its stance of “respecting one China” and apologized for “insufficient communication,” as the 16th Gwangju Biennale is set to open on September 5.
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This story was covered in Museum Backlash and Market Shakeups Worldwide