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. 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. Participating artists: Kai Althoff Thom Andersen Charles Atlas Lutz Bacher Forrest Bess (by Robert Gober) Michael Clark Dennis Cooper and Gisèle Vienne Cameron Crawford Moyra Davey Liz Deschenes Nathaniel Dorsky Nicole Eisenman Kevin Jerome Everson Vincent Fecteau Andrea Fraser LaToya Ruby Frazier Vincent Gallo K8 Hardy Richard Hawkins Werner Herzog Jerome Hiler Matt Hoyt Dawn Kasper Mike Kelley John Kelsey John Knight Jutta Koether George Kuchar Laida Lertxundi Kate Levant Sam Lewitt Joanna Malinowska Andrew Masullo Nick Mauss Richard Maxwell Sarah Michelson Alicia Hall Moran and Jason Moran Laura Poitras Matt Porterfield Luther Price Lucy Raven The Red Krayola Kelly Reichardt Elaine Reichek Michael Robinson Georgia Sag