The artist and activist Nan Goldin topped “ArtReview’s” Power 100 list in 2023, jumping several notches from its eighth place on last year’s list. The magazine states that this year's list is “dominated by artists who use their platforms not only to discuss freedom, but also to practice it, intervening through actions and also words (and images) in the pressing issues and social policies of the current moment.”
It seems likely that Goldin's jump in the rankings reflects his willingness to defend his own and other artists' right to sign a highly controversial letter in support of Palestine, published by Artforum in October. After the petition received criticism for failing to condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 (they were later acknowledged in an update), many signatories rushed to withdraw their names. “I have never lived through a scarier time,” Goldin told the New York Times. “People are blacklisted. People are losing their jobs.”
German filmmaker Hito Steyerl also moved up the list from fourth to second place. She was a notable public supporter of another letter published by the online magazine “Erev Rav” in response to the ”Artforum” petition. He claimed that this letter, by omitting any mention of Hamas, was “legitimizing the abduction of civilians”.
It is the first time that the list, launched in 2002, has a top 10 made up entirely of artists. Wolfgang Tillmans, who came sixth last year, has dropped from the list completely. Instead, “ArtReview” promoted two American artists, Simone Leigh (4) and Theaster Gates (7), British artists Isaac Julien (5) and Steve McQueen (8), Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanjia (3), the Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama (6) and Chinese artist Cao Fei (10). Karrabing Film Collective, a group of indigenous artists from Australia, came in ninth place, up from 21st place last year.
NFTs, first on the list in 2021, did not return, nor did the Winklevoss Twins, major NFT investors who ranked 58th on last year's list. Instead, digital artists experimenting with AI were recognized, including Refik Anadol (60) and duo Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst (77).
Brazilian curator Adriano Pedrosa, who regularly appears at the bottom of the list, took 15th place this year. At the end of last year he was announced as curator of next year's 60th Venice Biennale.
The Power 100 is decided by a panel of 40 art world experts whose identities are protected. While many names have reappeared on the list over the past two decades – and some figures like Jay Jopling and Obrist have been on the list since 2002 – the panel has, in recent years, worked to make the list less Western-centric and more global.
Source: Artnet News