For the first time in 31 years, commercial whaling boats have returned to the Japanese ports with their first catch of minke whales, having set out on July 1. While conservationists around the world are appalled by the apparent revival of the industry, a lack of demand for the meat it produces may, in fact, lead to its ultimate demise.
Astrid Walmer interviews three artists and the curator of the 2018 São Paulo Art Biennial. Featured are Curator Gabriel Perez Barriento of Spain, Claudia Fontes of Argentina, Katrín Sigurdardóttir of Iceland, and Nicole Vlado of the United States.
The Abe administration has called for the end of the whaling ban imposed by the International Whaling Commission in 1986. Instead, the government has proposed its “Way Forward” initiative, hoping to gain the support of other pro-whaling nations. A meeting taking place in Brazil this week will be discussing this topic with member states.
