Overview
- The Venice Biennale announced last week that Iran would not take part in the 61st International Art Exhibition.
- Iran’s culture ministry, in a letter dated May 10, insisted the pavilion be opened even if it cannot compete for prizes.
- Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani told Iran’s ISNA on Tuesday that Iran never withdrew and expects a final reply within days.
- He cited war-related uncertainty, sanctions, and a currency slide that nearly tripled costs, and said a two-to-three month run was proposed then rejected.
- A separate project called Hulul was announced in the Giardini without an official listing, signaling a non-state effort to present Iranian artists.