Culture Workers Plan 24-Hour Strike at Venice Biennale Over Israeli Pavilion
On Friday, May 8, cultural workers will engage in a 24-hour strike at the 61st Venice Biennale, opposing Israel's involvement due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. This event, organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA), marks the Biennale's inaugural strike and includes participation from groups such as Biennaleocene and various Italian labor unions. A demonstration is scheduled for 4:30 pm at Viale Garibaldi, close to the Arsenale. ANGA reports that Israel has caused the deaths of more than 73,000 individuals in Gaza and is under ICC arrest warrants. The Biennale features Israel in a temporary pavilion following the conclusion of Ruth Patir's exhibition in 2024. This protest is a culmination of months of activism, highlighted by a letter endorsed by over 200 participants and an open letter from ANGA in 2024 that garnered over 22,000 signatures.
Key facts
- 24-hour strike on May 8 at 61st Venice Biennale
- Organized by Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- First organized strike within the Biennale
- Rally at Viale Garibaldi near Arsenale at 4:30 pm
- Israel's pavilion moved to temporary Arsenale space after official pavilion closed in 2024
- Russia participates in reduced capacity due to sanctions
- Biennale jury resigned after excluding Israel and Russia from awards; replaced with Visitor's Lion
- ANGA letter signed by over 200 participants including Brian Eno and Nina Katchadourian
Entities
Artists
- Ruth Patir
- Brian Eno
- Nina Katchadourian
- Rasha Salti
- Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo
Institutions
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Biennaleocene
- Sale Docks
- Mi Riconosci
- Vogliamo Tutt'altro
- Associazione Difesa Lavoratori
- Unione Sindacale di Base
- Confederazione Unitaria di Base
- Venice Biennale
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Hyperallergic
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Viale Garibaldi
- Arsenale
- Gaza
- Israel
- Russia
- United States