Whitney Museum of American Art

David L. Johnson | Audio Guide Teaser | Whitney Biennial 2026

David L. Johnson’s audio guide teaser for the Whitney Biennial 2026 introduces his project “Rule,” which interrogates the systematic removal of codes‑of‑conduct signage from privately owned public spaces in New York City. Johnson explains that city planning regulations obligate owners to display visible rules, yet many owners simply take the signs down, leaving the public without notice of restrictions. He cites common prohibitions—no lying down, no tents, no amplified sound—that echo the language used to police Occupy Wall Street and target unhoused individuals. He points out the ambiguity of signs that ban “annoying behavior” or prohibit “gang colors,” allowing owners or state partners to subjectively decide who may be removed. These examples illustrate how vague wording can be weaponized against marginalized groups. The work underscores a broader collaboration between municipal authorities and private developers to regulate everyday life, raising questions about the erosion of truly public spaces and the implications for civil liberties, activism, and urban policy.