Venice Biennale’s Prize Ban on Israel and Russia Falls Short for Critics
The Venice Biennale jury announced on Thursday that Israel and Russia will be ineligible for the Biennale’s top awards (the Golden and Silver Lions) under a new rule barring prizes for countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court charges of crimes against humanity. The jurors—Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, Giovanna Zapperi, and Solange Farkas—said the decision aligns with the late curator Koyo Kouoh’s theme “In Minor Keys,” which aims to refuse “the spectacle of horror.” The European Union also protested Russia’s participation by withdrawing €2 million (about $2.3 million) in funding, a cut that will affect the 2028 edition. Activist group Art Not Genocide Alliance praised the move, while other critics argued it does not go far enough, and Israel’s representative artist Belu-Simion Fainaru said the policy has created a “hostile and degrading environment.”
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This story was covered in Museum Money Games and AI’s New Frontier