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Jury Resignation Triggers Prize Overhaul at Venice Biennale

The shake-up signals political pressure is reshaping how the Biennale grants its top awards.

Overview

  • The international jury, which quit Thursday, stepped down en bloc before the May 9 opening of the 61st edition.
  • Jurors had said on April 23 they would exclude countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court accusations, a stance that effectively targeted Russia and Israel.
  • Italy’s culture ministry sent inspectors to review management a day before the walkout, and the European Union cut a reported €2 million subsidy over the Russian pavilion decision.
  • Biennale leaders reopened prize eligibility to all national pavilions, moved the top awards to a visitor vote, and pushed announcements to November 22, citing a policy of inclusion.
  • National teams continue their plans, with Argentina set to show Matías Duville’s ‘Monitor Yin Yang,’ selected in a public competition from 69 proposals.