Belu Simion Făinaru to Represent Israel at 2026 Venice Biennale Amid Controversy
Belu Simion Făinaru, an Israeli sculptor born in Romania in 1959 in Bucharest, will showcase his work "The Rose of Nothingness" at the Arsenale during the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, representing Israel. This news comes from ANGA – Art Not Genocide Alliance, amidst discussions regarding Israel's potential exclusion from the event. Făinaru, who immigrated to Israel in 1973, was awarded the Israel Prize in 2025 by Education Minister Yoav Kisch. He previously represented Romania at the 2019 Biennale and co-founded the Mediterranean Biennale in 2010. His installation, which debuted in 2015, includes a black water mirror inspired by Paul Celan's poetry. The official list of participating nations will be revealed on February 25, 2026.
Key facts
- Belu Simion Făinaru will represent Israel at the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026.
- His installation 'The Rose of Nothingness' will be shown at the Arsenale, not the Israeli Pavilion.
- Făinaru was born in Bucharest in 1959 and moved to Israel in 1973.
- He received the Israel Prize in 2025 from Education Minister Yoav Kisch.
- He represented Romania at the 2019 Venice Biennale.
- He co-founded the Mediterranean Biennale in 2010.
- ANGA – Art Not Genocide Alliance reported the news and opposes Israel's participation.
- The Israeli Pavilion at the 2024 Biennale was closed by artist Ruth Patir in protest.
- Israel withdrew from the 2025 Architecture Biennale.
- 'The Rose of Nothingness' was first shown in 2015 at Galeria Plan B, Berlin, and MAK Museum, Vienna.
- The work references Paul Celan's poetry on Kabbalah and nothingness.
- Official announcement of participating countries is due February 25, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Belu Simion Făinaru
- Cristian Nae
- Ruth Patir
- Paul Celan
- Avital Bar-Shay
Institutions
- ANGA – Art Not Genocide Alliance
- Galeria Plan B
- MAK Museum
- Art Basel
- Mediterranean Biennale
- Israel Prize
- Israeli Ministry of Education
Locations
- Bucharest
- Romania
- Israel
- Venice
- Italy
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- Berlin
- Germany
- Vienna
- Austria
- Haifa
- Palestine
- Havana
- Cuba