Protests and resignations overshadow 61st Venice Biennale opening

The opening of the 61st Venice Biennale on Tuesday was overshadowed by political strife, protests, and the complete resignation of the jury for the Golden Lion. They opted to step down before the event, declaring they wouldn't evaluate works from nations whose leaders have international arrest warrants, effectively excluding Russia and Israel. The Russian pavilion, absent for the last two Biennales due to the conflict in Ukraine, will stay closed to visitors when it kicks off on May 9, although some flower sculptures can be seen through the windows. Ukraine's culture minister, Tetyana Berezhna, described the closure as a significant action, while also recognizing Russia's strong symbolic presence. The Iranian pavilion unexpectedly withdrew amidst a fragile ceasefire with the US. About 60 artists protested Israel's involvement with a Solidarity Drone Chorus, and over 200 artists signed a letter urging the cancellation of the Israeli pavilion. The Biennale continues without its curator Koyo Kouoh, who passed away in May 2025, but her team—Marie Hélène Pereira, Rasha Salti, Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Rory Tsapayi, and Siddhartha Mitter—carried out her vision. Notable features include Lubaina Himid's exhibition in the British pavilion, Derrick Adams' mural honoring Kouoh, Florentina Holzinger's performance at the Austrian pavilion, and a nesting seagull that has captivated visitors.