Whitney Biennial 1977: Contemporary American Art
Feb 19–Apr 3, 1977
Whitney Biennial 1977: Contemporary American Art was curated by John G. Hanhardt, Barbara Haskell, Mark Segal, Patterson Sims, and Marcia Tucker.
View the full exhibition catalogue at the Internet Archive.
Artists
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Vito Acconci
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Nicholas Africano
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Terry Allen
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John Baldessari
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Lewis Baltz
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Jennifer Bartlett
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Lynda Benglis
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Mel Bochner
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Joan Brown
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Chris Burden
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Peter Campus
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Vija Celmins
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Chuck Close
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Brian Connell
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Robert Cumming
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Stephen A. Davis
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Richard Estes
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Terry Fox
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Howard Fried
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Ron Gorchov
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Duane Hanson
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Michael Heizer
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James Hill
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Nancy Holt
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Alfred J. Jensen
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Joan Jonas
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Allan Kaprow
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Barry Le Va
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Andy Mann
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Brice Marden
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Agnes Martin
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Duane Michals
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Ree Morton
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Elizabeth Murray
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Bruce Nauman
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Jim Nutt
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Dennis Oppenheim
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Nam June Paik
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Dorothea Rockburne
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Robert Ryman
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Alan Saret
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Ilene Segalove
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Richard Serra
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Joel Shapiro
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Charles Simonds
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Alan Sondheim
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Keith Sonnier
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Pat Steir
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David True
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Richard Tuttle
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Woody Vasulka
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Willie Walker
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William Wegman
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H.C. Westermann
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Jackie Winsor
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Joe Zucker
Installation Photography
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827181/large_1176_Biennial_VW5_005_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Joel Shapiro, Running Man (1976); Joel Shapiro, Untitled (1976); Joel Shapiro, Untitled (House on Field) (1975–76); Joel Shapiro, Fallen Tree (1976). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827181/large_1176_Biennial_VW5_005_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827184/large_1176_Biennial_VW8_008_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Jim Nutt, I can Do It (1975–76); Jim Nutt, I Like You (1975); Jim Nutt, I’d Rather Stay (On the other Hand) (1975–76); Jim Nutt, Which Side Are You ON? (1975–76). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827184/large_1176_Biennial_VW8_008_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827187/large_1176_Biennial_VW11_0011_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Nicholas Africano, Cynthia’s Legs (1976); Nicholas Africano, Nicholas Watching (1976); Nicholas Africano, Rubbing Anna’s Legs (1976). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827187/large_1176_Biennial_VW11_0011_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827190/large_1176_Biennial_VW14_0014_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Alfred Jensen, Doric Order; Alfred Jensen, Great Occupation; H.C. Westermann, Fools Gold; H.C. Westermann, Machine Dedicated to Spike Jones. Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827190/large_1176_Biennial_VW14_0014_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827194/large_1176_Biennial_VW19_0019_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Robert Cumming, Crutch-Arrow (1976); Robert Cumming, 2 Easel Chairs (1976); Robert Cumming, Distracted in Mid-Stride; Robert Cumming, Spike Heeled Man Kneels to Read (1975); Robert Cumming, Men’s Spike Heels (1975). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827194/large_1176_Biennial_VW19_0019_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827195/large_1176_Biennial_VW20_0020_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: James Hill, Gorilla James in the Studio (1976); James Hill, Africa N.Y. Nights (1976); Richard Estes, Murano Glass (1976); Richard Estes, Double Self Portrait (1976); Richard Estes, Bridal Accessories (1975). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827195/large_1176_Biennial_VW20_0020_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827200/large_1176_Biennial_VW27_0027_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: David True, Blue Sea (1976); David True, Green Wedge (1976); Dorothea Rockburne, Golden Section: Square Separated by Parallelogram with Diamond (1974); Dorothea Rockburne, Noli Me Tangere (1976); Dorothea Rockburne, Sepulcro (1976); center: Michael Heizer, Circle (1976). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827200/large_1176_Biennial_VW27_0027_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827202/large_1176_Biennial_VW32_0032_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Chuck Close, Bob I/154 (1973); Chuck Close, Bob II/616 (1973); Chuck Close, Bob III/2464 (1973); Chuck Close, Robert/104,072 (1973–74); Chuck Close, Leslie (1973). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827202/large_1176_Biennial_VW32_0032_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827185/large_1176_Biennial_VW9_009_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Alan Saret, Single Filament Flexible Network Sculpture (1974–77); bottom: Alan Saret, Proposal for Nebraska State Highway Bicentennial Projects (1974); top: Alan Saret, Great Stair Place (1974); Ozalid prints. Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827185/large_1176_Biennial_VW9_009_adjusted.jpg)
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827198/large_1176_Biennial_VW24_0024_adjusted.jpg)
Installation view of the 1977 Biennial Exhibition (Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, February 15–April 3, 1977). From left to right: Elizabeth Murray, Searchin (1976); Elizabeth Murray, Desire (1976); Elizabeth Murray, Beginner (1976); center: Jackie Winsor, Green Place (1976). Photograph by Eeva Inkeri
![Works of art in a gallery.](https://whitneymedia.org/assets/image/827198/large_1176_Biennial_VW24_0024_adjusted.jpg)
In the News
“The Whitney Museum’s 1977 Biennial has been praised by some and harshly criticized by others who have denounced many of the entries as trivial, silly, pretentious, or vulgar. [. . .] The vituperations should not cause spectators to overlook numerous other works of real quality . . .” —Art Journal
“Recent experience gives us ample reason to know in advance that the specialty of these shows—the thing that gives them their special quality and flavor—is a surpassing esthetic boredom. They seem to be governed by a positive hostility toward—a really visceral distaste for—anything that might conceivably engage the eye in a significant or pleasurable visual experience.” —The New York Times
“. . . one of the few places where American artists can uninhibitedly display their efforts in a non-commercial showcase.” —The New York Times
More from this series
Learn more about the Whitney Biennial, the longest-running survey of American art.