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Jury Quits Venice Biennale: Art Awards Go Public
8 May
Summary
- Public vote replaces jury for Venice Biennale awards.
- Jury resigned due to controversy over conflict nations' participation.
- Concerns raised about potential vote rigging and government influence.
The Venice Biennale's Golden Lion awards, typically decided by an expert jury, will instead be determined by public vote this year. This significant change comes after the five-member prize jury resigned last week. Their resignation followed intense pressure regarding the inclusion of countries involved in violent conflicts, such as Israel and Russia, and an artist's threat of legal action.
The Venice Biennale Foundation confirmed that visitors who have accessed both the Giardini and Arsenale exhibition venues are eligible to cast a vote. This is the first time the event is administering a public choice award in this format. The foundation stated that all national participants are eligible, adhering to a principle of inclusion, despite the exceptional geopolitical circumstances.
Concerns have been raised about the new voting system's susceptibility to rigging or government influence, drawing parallels to issues faced by the Eurovision Song Contest. The Biennale's decision to shift to a public vote highlights the event's reflection of global geopolitical tensions and the challenges of balancing artistic inclusion with international conflicts.
