Venice Biennale Replaces Golden Lions with Public Vote Amid Crisis

The 61st Venice Biennale has scrapped its traditional Golden Lion awards and introduced "Visitor Lions" to be decided by public vote. This follows the jury's collective resignation on April 30, after they had declared they would exclude pavilions of countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, effectively targeting Russia and Israel. The Biennale Foundation's new policy includes all national pavilions under a principle of inclusion, reversing the jury's stance. The awards ceremony has been moved from May 9 to November 22, the Biennale's final day. Ticket holders who visit both the pavilion and main exhibition can vote. This marks the first time visitors determine the awards, though the ceremony was postponed in 2021 for the Architecture Biennale due to COVID-19. The Biennale has faced widespread boycott campaigns, a crowdfunded US pavilion, and the jury's resignation before opening.