Overview
- The Biennale, which opened Saturday to the public, dropped its ceremony after the international jury resigned and will award prizes by visitor vote in November.
- The European Commission has paused about €2 million in support in response to Russia’s readmission to the state-run national pavilion program.
- Russia returned with a government-owned pavilion that stayed closed to visitors while its installation ran on a large screen outside.
- Protests intensified, with Pussy Riot and Femen staging actions at the Russian pavilion and about 2,000 people marching in Venice over Israel’s participation.
- Preview-day strikes closed several national pavilions, including Austria’s, and the new voting system will count only tickets from visitors who have seen both the Giardini and Arsenale sites.