Over 70 Participating Artists Reject the 'Visitors' Lion Award' at Venice Biennale
Over 70 participating artists withdrew from the newly created 'Visitors' Lion Award' at the 61st Venice Biennale following the international jury's resignation.Summary
More than 70 participating artists and pavilion representatives withdrew from the selection process for the newly established 'Visitors' Lion Award' at the 61st Venice Biennale, themed 'In Minor Keys.' The move followed the resignation of the international jury in late April, triggered by the jury's announcement that they would not award prizes to representatives of nations under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, with Israel and Russia clearly in mind. The jury stated that the Biennale must take responsibility for its historical role of linking art to pressing contemporary issues, and that it would exclude representatives of nations accused of crimes against humanity to uphold human rights and the spirit of the Curatorial Project 'Co–yo Ho.' Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as a boycott of Israeli representative artist Bel Simon Final, raising concerns of political and legal repercussions. The Biennale formally accepted the jury's resignation and created the 'Visitors' Lion Award' as an alternative to the Golden Lion, with public voting across two categories: one for participating artists and one for national pavilions. However, over 70 artists refused to participate in the new award's selection process. The Biennale emphasized that all national participations are treated equally based on the founding principles of openness, dialogue, and rejection of censorship, and that the event must remain a space for peace under the banner of art, culture, and freedom of expression.
(Source：美術手帖)