Artists Threaten Legal Action Over Venice Biennale Awards

Over 100 artists participating in the 61st Venice Biennale have threatened legal action after their repeated requests to be removed from the new Visitors' Lions ballot were ignored. A letter published on June 3, addressed to the Venice Biennale Foundation and its president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, condemns the lack of transparency and accountability. The dispute follows the resignation of the international jury on April 30, after it had barred Israel and Russia from official prizes due to ICC arrest warrants. The foundation then opened voting to the public, reinstating eligibility for those countries. On May 9, dozens of artists declared withdrawal from the Visitors' Lions, but their names remained on ballots distributed on May 14. The foundation replied on May 28 that names would stay to guarantee freedom of expression, but votes would not count. As of June 3, artists claim no response and are pursuing legal action.