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Venice Biennale 2024 Opens Amid Protests, Jury Resignation over Prize Policy

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The 61st Venice Biennale: A Biennale of Protest, Boycott, and Resignation

The 61st Venice Biennale, a major international contemporary art exhibition, opened on Saturday, April 20, 2024, against a backdrop of protests, an artist boycott, and the resignation of the entire awards jury over a dispute concerning prize eligibility for countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity.

Jury Resignation

The international jury for the Biennale resigned on April 30, 2026, effective immediately. The five-member panel consisted of:

  • President Solange Oliveira Farkas (founder and artistic director of Associação Cultural Videobrasil)
  • Zoe Butt (curator and founder of in-tangible institute in Chiang Mai)
  • Elvira Dyangani Ose (curator and artistic director of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial)
  • Marta Kuzma (curator and professor at the Yale School of Art)
  • Giovanna Zapperi (art historian and professor at the University of Geneva)

According to sources, the jury had previously issued a "Statement of Intention" on April 22, in which it stated it would not award prizes (the Golden and Silver Lions) to participating countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The policy effectively singles out Russia and Israel. The Biennale stated the jury resigned without providing an explanation, though the jury’s announcement said it acted "in acknowledgment of its Statement of Intention."

Changes to Awards

The Biennale announced that, following the jury's resignation, the selection of winners for the Golden Lion (for best national pavilion and best participant) will be determined by ticket-holders via anonymous email voting. The winners are scheduled to be announced on the closing day, November 22, 2026.

Russia’s Participation

Russia’s return to the Biennale has been a source of significant tension. Russia has not participated in the International Art Exhibition since 2019, and its pavilion in the Giardini was locked in 2022 after its curators resigned following the invasion of Ukraine. For the 2024 edition, Russia’s pavilion is active with programming, including performances by Ensemble Toloka.

The Italian government has opposed Russia’s presence:

  • Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli stated he would not attend the previews or opening day due to Russia's participation.
  • Premier Giorgia Meloni reiterated the government’s disagreement with the decision but acknowledged the Biennale’s autonomy.
  • Cabinet Minister Matteo Salvini supported the decision to let visitors award prizes, calling it "an autonomous and democratic Biennale."
  • Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco supported Russia's return, citing a stance against preemptive bans.

The European Commission is investigating possible sanctions breaches related to the pavilion. The pavilion’s commissioner, Anastasia Karneeva, thanked Italian friends in a social media post. Culture ministers from Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and several Baltic states have criticized Russia's inclusion.

The Biennale has stated it does not have the authority to prevent a country from participating, as any country recognized by the Italian Republic may request participation.

Protests and Demonstrations

  • On Thursday, the art collective Pussy Riot protested Russia's return by entering the Russian pavilion wearing pink balaclavas, setting off smoke flares, and chanting "No Putin in Venice."
  • On Friday, thousands demonstrated against Israel's participation over the war in Gaza. In response, the pavilions of Japan, Finland, and the UK temporarily closed while artists and curators joined the march. The Israeli pavilion was closed for a private event.
  • Culture Minister Giuli had a phone call with Israeli Pavilion artist Belu-Simion Fainaru, expressing solidarity against "recent attacks."

Artist Withdrawals and Other Incidents

  • Dozens of artists, including Laurie Anderson, Alfredo Jaar, and Zoe Leonard, announced their withdrawal from awards consideration.
  • The national pavilions of France, Ecuador, and the United Arab Emirates also withdrew from the competition.
  • The South African pavilion was canceled after the artist refused to edit her work to remove tributes to a Palestinian poet; the pavilion remains empty.
  • Australia's artist and curator were initially dropped from the Biennale, then reinstated following political backlash.
  • An open letter in March called for banning official delegations from Israel, Russia, and the United States, citing war crimes.

Historical Context

The 1968 Biennale saw protests against it as a "bourgeois" institution. In 1974, national pavilions were canceled to focus on democracy and social change after the coup in Chile. Historian Clarissa Ricci noted that the biennale’s structure dates to the Mussolini era, when encouraging national pavilions was important for propaganda.

Statements

Jessica Kreps, a partner at the Lehmann Maupin gallery, stated that the Biennale should be a place for respectful dialogue and that the protests did not impede her viewing.

The Biennale did not respond to requests for comment.