<p>Since its introduction in 1932, the Whitney Biennial--the Museum's signature exhibition and a highly anticipated event in the art world--has charted new developments in contemporary art. Inaugurated by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in 1932, these biennial exhibitions have demonstrated the museum's commitment to supporting the development of 20th- and 21st-century American art.</p> <p>The 2012 Biennial features works by approximately 50 artists working in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, dance, and performance. Elisabeth Sussman (co-organizer of the influential, politically provocative 1993 Whitney Biennial) and Jay Sanders provide an insightful joint essay, and a group of art historians and critics contribute entries on common themes and ideas from the represented artists' techniques and influences. In addition, a significant portion of the catalogue is devoted to original contributions from each of the participating artists, in a unique effort to provide a more experiential understanding of the exhibition.</p> <p>Participating artists:</p> <p>Kai Althoff<br> Thom Andersen<br> Charles Atlas<br> Lutz Bacher<br> Forrest Bess (by Robert Gober)<br> Michael Clark<br> Dennis Cooper and Gisèle Vienne<br> Cameron Crawford<br> Moyra Davey<br> Liz Deschenes<br> Nathaniel Dorsky<br> Nicole Eisenman<br> Kevin Jerome<br> Everson<br> Vincent Fecteau<br> Andrea Fraser<br> LaToya Ruby<br> Frazier<br> Vincent Gallo<br> K8 Hardy<br> Richard Hawkins<br> Werner Herzog<br> Jerome Hiler<br> Matt Hoyt<br> Dawn Kasper<br> Mike Kelley<br> John Kelsey<br> John Knight<br> Jutta Koether<br> George Kuchar<br> Laida Lertxundi<br> Kate Levant<br> Sam Lewitt<br> Joanna Malinowska<br> Andrew Masullo<br> Nick Mauss<br> Richard Maxwell<br> Sarah Michelson<br> Alicia Hall Moran and Jason Moran<br> Laura Poitras<br> Matt Porterfield<br> Luther Price<br> Lucy Raven<br> The Red Krayola<br> Kelly Reichardt<br> Elaine Reichek<br> Michael Robinson<br> Georgia Sag