Venice Biennale showdown
European officials are pressing the Venice Biennale to block Russia’s return and have threatened to suspend a $2.2 million grant if the Russian pavilion reopens — a rare funding ultimatum tied to geopolitics. At the same time South African artist Gabrielle Goliath will independently exhibit her project “Elegy” in Venice after her government canceled her official submission, underscoring artists’ pushback against state interference. ( )
La Biennale’s official schedule lists the 61st International Art Exhibition running from 9 May to 22 November 2026, with pre-opening days on 6–8 May and venues at the Giardini and the Arsenale. (labiennale.org)) Russia’s national project for this edition is titled “The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky” and organisers say it will bring together more than 50 young artists, musicians, poets and thinkers. (artnews.com)) Anastasia Karneeva has been named commissioner of the Russian pavilion; reporting links her to Moscow’s art establishment and notes her father, Nikolay Volobuyev, serves as a deputy chief executive of the state defence conglomerate Rostec. (news.artnet.com)) A coordinated diplomatic push came from 22 European culture ministers — including France, Germany, Poland and Ukraine — who sent a joint letter urging the organisers to reconsider Moscow’s participation. (politico.eu)) More than 7,000 artists, cultural leaders and academics have signed an open letter opposing the Russian pavilion, and Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli has publicly dissociated himself from the decision and asked the government’s Biennale representative to resign. (news.artnet.com)) South African artist Gabrielle Goliath will present Elegy as a video installation at the Chiesa di Sant’Antonin in Castello from 5 May to 31 July 2026, with backing from the Bertha Foundation, Ibraaz and Galleria Raffaella Cortese. (news24.com)) Goliath and curator Ingrid Masondo mounted an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria after Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie cancelled the official pavilion entry; the court dismissed that challenge and the cancellation followed McKenzie’s objections to parts of the work referencing Palestine. (theartnewspaper.com))
