The entire jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned just nine days before the opening of the prestigious art exhibition, citing a refusal to award prizes to countries whose leaders face charges of crimes against humanity, specifically Russia and Israel.
In a brief statement, the jury said its resignation was in line with an earlier decision not to consider entries from nations whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity. This move effectively bars Russia and Israel from winning prizes at the event.
The Biennale, which features national pavilions from around the world, has been embroiled in controversy for weeks. The announcement came a day after a delegation from Italy's culture ministry visited Venice to gather information about the reopening of the Russian pavilion.
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, stated that allowing Russia to participate "is a decision not shared by the government," but emphasized that the Biennale is autonomous and its president is "very capable."
Earlier in April, the European Union withdrew a €2 million grant over Russia's return, calling it "morally wrong" as Moscow "seeks to erase Ukrainian culture" through its invasion. The Biennale previously argued it could not bar Russia because the country owns its pavilion.
In 2022, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian pavilion's curator and artists withdrew in protest, leaving it empty. In 2024, Russia handed the space to Bolivia. Now, Russia is set to present a performance titled The Tree is Rooted in the Sky, though public access may be restricted.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging war crimes. Moscow denies the allegations.
Israel's foreign ministry criticized the jury's decision as "a contamination of the art world." The ICC has also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. Israel rejects the allegations.
The jury was scheduled to announce prizes on May 9, but the ceremony has been canceled. Instead, visitors will vote for their favorite pavilions.
The controversy highlights the intersection of art and geopolitics, as the Biennale grapples with pressures from governments and international bodies over the participation of nations accused of atrocities.