Israeli Pavilion Artist Issued Legal Threats Before Venice Biennale Jury Resigned
Israeli artist Belu-Simion Fainaru has voiced alarm over rising antisemitism and bias at the Venice Biennale, sparked by the jury's decision to exclude nations implicated in human rights violations, including Israel. On April 22, the all-female jury announced this controversial stance, citing leaders under scrutiny by the International Criminal Court. Less than two weeks later, the jury resigned, prompting the festival to replace the Golden Lion awards with Visitor Lions, which allowed participation from Israel and Russia. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli backed Fainaru, while demonstrations by the Art Not Genocide Alliance led to the Israeli pavilion's temporary closure.
Key facts
- Belu-Simion Fainaru filed legal warnings alleging antisemitism and discrimination after the jury excluded Israel and Russia.
- The jury stated on April 22 it would not consider countries with leaders charged by the ICC.
- Jury members: Elvira Dyangani Ose, Zoe Butt, Marta Kuzma, Giovanna Zapperi, Solange Farkas (chair).
- The Biennale Foundation initially supported the jury's decision as an expression of freedom.
- Fainaru's legal warnings were sent to the Biennale, MiC, and the Italian Prime Minister's office.
- The jury resigned eight days later, leading to the scrapping of Golden Lions and introduction of Visitor Lions.
- The Biennale's legal department warned jurors could be personally liable for damages to Fainaru.
- Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli promised to promote Fainaru's work and combat discrimination.
- ANGA protests temporarily shut down the Israeli pavilion during preview week.
Entities
Artists
- Belu-Simion Fainaru
- Avital Bar-Shay
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC)
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Adnkronos
- Hyperallergic
- Haaretz
- New York Times
- e-flux
- Mediterranean Biennale in Haifa
- International Criminal Court
- Art Not Genocide Alliance
- ArtAsiaPacific
- ARTnews
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Israel
- Russia
- Haifa
- Romania