Venice Biennale Scraps “Golden Lion” Awards as Turmoil Continues
The Venice Biennale Foundation has scrapped the Golden Lion awards for the 61st Venice Biennale and will instead introduce public-voted “Visitor Lions” for best national pavilion and best artist in the main exhibition. The change was announced after the Biennale’s awards jury resigned on April 30, following its April 22 statement that it intended to exclude countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, which would have made Russia and Israel ineligible. Under the new system, all official national pavilions—including Israel and Russia—can compete, with the Foundation citing “inclusion and equal treatment” and opposition to “closure and censorship.” The awards ceremony has been moved from May 9 to November 22, the Biennale’s final day, and voting will be available to ticket holders who visit both the pavilion and main exhibition venues.
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This story was covered in Biennial Meltdown, Market Myths, and Museum Scandals