Jury Resignation Rocks Venice Biennale
The entire jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned just nine days before the inauguration of the prestigious art event. This dramatic development comes amid growing tensions surrounding the return of Russia for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the jury’s stance on countries whose leaders face international charges.
Reasons Behind the Resignation
In a brief statement, the jury clarified that its action was consistent with a previous decision not to consider countries “whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity” for any prizes. This stance specifically implicates Russia and Israel, as leaders from both nations are subject to arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Russia’s Return and International Reactions
The exhibition, which showcases art from around the world in dozens of national pavilions, has been at the center of controversy for weeks. Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, stated that allowing Russia to participate “is a decision not shared by the government,” though she acknowledged the Biennale’s autonomy. Earlier in April, the EU announced it was pulling a two million Euro grant, deeming Russia’s return “morally wrong” given Moscow’s alleged efforts to “erase Ukrainian culture” during its invasion.
Biennale’s Stance and Historical Context
The Biennale has previously emphasized its commitment to being open to everyone and “rejects any form of exclusion or censorship.” It also argued that it could not bar Russia from participating because the country owns its pavilion. In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the curator and artists involved in the Russian pavilion withdrew in protest, leaving the space empty. For the 2024 event, Russia has handed its pavilion over to Bolivia.
Israel’s Inclusion and ICC Warrants
The jury’s decision to exclude certain countries from prize consideration also impacts Israel. Israel’s foreign ministry previously commented that the decision to exclude the country from possible prizes was “a contamination of the art world.” In 2024, judges at the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and former defense minister, citing “reasonable grounds” they bear “criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel has rejected these allegations.
Impact on the Awards Ceremony
The Biennale jury was scheduled to announce a series of prizes at the inauguration on May 9th. However, that ceremony has now been cancelled. Instead, visitors will be given the opportunity to vote themselves on their favorite pavilions.
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