Venice Biennale: Boycotts and Threats over Participation of Russia & Israel
The resignation deepened disputes over national representation as 100 pavilions and 110 artists opened under pressure from protests and funding losses.
- On Tuesday, the 61st Venice Biennale previewed its most chaotic edition ever after an unprecedented jury resignation over Russia and Israel's participation undermined the world's oldest contemporary art exhibition.
- Before resigning, the jury declared it would not award prizes to nations under International Court of Justice investigation, singling out Russia and Israel. The Biennale defended its policy, stating any country with relations with Italy remains eligible.
- Tensions flared as Ukrainian artists displayed 'The Origami Deer,' a statue evacuated from Pokrovsk, while Palestinian participants marched through the Giardini wearing names of artists killed in Gaza.
- Without a professional jury, the Biennale cancelled its prestigious Golden Lion awards for national pavilions; visitors will select winners to be announced November 22. Co-curator Ksenia Malykh said this damages professional standing.
- With 100 national pavilions and 110 artists, the Biennale now faces pressure over whether national representation provides states an undue platform for propaganda in a globalized art world.
39 Articles
39 Articles
The Venice Biennale of Art opened its doors on Wednesday in a tense climate with demonstrations against the Russian and Israeli presence.
Venice Biennale: Boycotts and threats over participation of Russia & Israel
The Venice Biennale previewed its 61st and most chaotic edition ever on Tuesday, just days after the unprecedented resignation of its jury over the participation of Israel and Russia undermined the very structure of the world’s oldest contemporary art exhibition.
How the Venice Biennale imploded over Israel
The who’s who of the international art world meet every two years at the Venice Biennale to hobnob, clink champagne glasses and gawk at contemporary art showcased in national pavilions along the Giardini della Biennale. The exhibition should be a celebration of artistic merit, with the international jury awarding the coveted Golden Lion to the best national pavilion and artist. This year, however, the 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled to open on M…
The collective withdrawal was triggered by Russia's participation in the exhibition.
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