Venice Biennale Jury Resigns Amid Russia-Israel Controversy
Before the opening of the 2026 Venice Biennale, the entire international jury stepped down in protest against the inclusion of Russia and the exclusion of both Russia and Israel from award eligibility due to ICC allegations against their leaders. This decision was fueled by political pressure from the Italian government and a European backlash. Consequently, the Biennale postponed its awards and created visitor-selected prizes. In other news, British billionaire Joe Lewis plans to auction an art collection valued between £150–£200 million at Sotheby's London in June, which includes pieces by Klimt, Schiele, and Bacon. Additionally, Neo-Expressionist Georg Baselitz passed away at 88, and Herzog & de Meuron's Triangle Tower in Paris reached its maximum height, with completion expected this year.
Key facts
- 2026 Venice Biennale jury resigned en masse days before opening.
- Jury protested Russia's inclusion and prior decision to bar Russia and Israel from prizes due to ICC charges.
- Italian government pressure and European backlash contributed to the resignation.
- Biennale postponed awards and introduced visitor-selected prizes.
- British billionaire Joe Lewis sells art collection at Sotheby's London in June, estimated £150–200 million.
- Collection includes works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Francis Bacon.
- Tiffany & Co. supplies high jewelry for 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' including a 30+ carat diamond necklace.
- Georg Baselitz died at 88; born 1938 in East Germany, known for Neo-Expressionist upside-down paintings.
- Herzog & de Meuron's Triangle Tower topped out in Paris; 180-meter pyramid-shaped skyscraper in 15th arrondissement.
- Triangle Tower set for completion this year; first new skyscraper in central Paris in decades.
- Porsche revives 1980 Apple Computer livery.
- NASA and USGS launched an alphabet of aerial images.
- Gen Z loves 'teensy grandma watch.'
- Accor introduced world's largest sailing yacht.
- Simon de Pury documentary 'The Hammer' announced.
- Russia's 2026 Venice Biennale pavilion will not open.
- Tate Britain will exhibit '90s art and fashion.
- Dataland, world's first AI arts museum, will open.
- Art Basel launches 'Basel Exclusive' initiative.
- Solange Oliveira Farkas will lead the Venice Biennale.
- Eames Pavilion System for prefab housing launches.
- Tim Cook becomes Apple executive chairman.
- Dallas Museum of Art acquired six artists' works.
- Artsy and Artnet are now under same ownership.
- Charles Leclerc collaboration with number 16.
Entities
Artists
- Georg Baselitz
- Gustav Klimt
- Egon Schiele
- Francis Bacon
- Solange Oliveira Farkas
- Charles Leclerc
- Simon de Pury
- Tim Cook
- Emily Blunt
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Sotheby's London
- Tiffany & Co.
- Herzog & de Meuron
- Porsche
- Apple
- NASA
- USGS
- Accor
- Tate Britain
- Dataland
- Art Basel
- Eames Pavilion System
- Dallas Museum of Art
- Artsy
- Artnet
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- 15th arrondissement
- Porte de Versailles
- East Germany
- Russia
- Israel