Venice Biennale sees 25-plus pavilion closures

La Biennale di Venezia opened the 61st International Art Exhibition on May 9 without its international jury after all five jurors resigned on April 30, days before the preview and public opening. The resignations came amid a dispute over the participation of Israel and Russia in this year’s show, titled *In Minor Keys* and dedicated to the late curator Koyo Kouoh. More than 25 national pavilions shut their doors during a protest this week, according to The New Arab, while other outlets including The Art Newspaper reported at least 18 full or partial closures on May 8 alone. La Biennale has kept Israel and Russia on its official list of national participations and replaced the usual jury-awarded prizes with two visitor-voted Lions. ### Who resigned, and when did they quit? La Biennale said on April 30 that it had received the resignations of the international jury for the 61st exhibition. The five jurors were Solange Farkas, who served as president, Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma and Giovanna Zapperi. The Biennale’s statement did not spell out the jurors’ reasons. (labiennale.org) Reporting by AP, The Times of Israel and The Art Newspaper said the resignations followed a row over Israel’s and Russia’s participation and the status of their pavilions in prize consideration. ### Why did Israel and Russia become the flashpoint? (labiennale.org) AP reported that the jury had limited its position to countries whose leaders were under International Criminal Court investigation for human rights abuses, a formulation that drew attention to Israel and Russia. ArtAsiaPacific and ARTnews reported earlier that the jury had said it would not consider the Israeli and Russian pavilions for official prizes. (apnews.com) La Biennale responded on April 30 by creating two Visitors’ Lions and stating that all national participations on the official list would remain eligible for the public-voted award for best national participation. The organization said the move followed “the principle of inclusion and equal treatment among all Participants” and set the awards ceremony for November 22, the exhibition’s closing day. (apnews.com) ### How extensive were the pavilion shutdowns? The New Arab reported on May 18 that more than 25 national pavilions had shut this week in protest over Israel’s participation. The report described the closures as part of a widening action inside the exhibition. The Art Newspaper reported that around 18 pavilions took part in full or partial closures on May 8, including Austria, Lebanon, Slovenia and Egypt, in an action organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance. (labiennale.org) The outlet said 237 curators, artists and art workers were involved, and quoted Dutch representative Dries Verhoeven saying protesters opposed giving Israel the chance to “artwash” itself through a pavilion in the Arsenale. (newarab.com) ### What changed in the prizes once the jury was gone? La Biennale said the usual awards ceremony scheduled for May 9 was postponed after the resignations and because of what it called “the exceptional nature of the current international geopolitical situation.” In place of jury-selected awards, visitors who have seen both main venues can vote for one participating artist and one national participation. (theartnewspaper.com) The New York Times reported that the public vote replaced the expert jury for this edition. AP reported that the show opened with no Golden Lions awarded at the start, a break with normal Biennale practice. ### What is the Biennale saying now? La Biennale’s official 2026 page says the exhibition runs from May 9 to November 22 across the Giardini, the Arsenale, other Venice locations and Forte Marghera. (labiennale.org) A separate Biennale release said 100 national participations and 31 collateral events accompany the central exhibition. The organization has not announced a replacement jury. (nytimes.com) Its published plan is to continue the exhibition through November 22 and award the two Visitors’ Lions that day, based on votes cast by ticket holders who visited both main venues. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2)