12/05/2026
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1426943606136366&set=a.603225695174832
The Venice Biennale saga continues.
After the jury resigned and The Foundation turned “Golden Lions” into “Visitor Lions” (awards decided by public vote, with Israel and Russia back in the running), dozens of artists withdrew en masse, right as the Venice Biennale opened its doors to the public.
The official announcement comes shortly after multiple protests at the Russian and Israeli pavilions during the preview period, and the historic labor strike at the Biennale that shuttered multiple pavilions.
Almost half of the artists in the international exhibition plus 22 national pavilions signed a statement in solidarity with the jury’s resignation.
Image: The Belgian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale closed on May 8 as part of cultural workers’ strike for Palestine. (photo Hrag Vartanian/Hyperallergic)
