Israeli Artists Slam 61st Venice Biennale Over Israel 'Victim' Portrayal
Updated
Updated · Haaretz · May 10
Israeli Artists Slam 61st Venice Biennale Over Israel 'Victim' Portrayal
1 articles · Updated · Haaretz · May 10
Israeli artists criticized the 61st Venice Biennale as it opened Saturday, saying participation again cast Israel as a victim amid anti-Israel protests.
The backlash came after a turbulent run-up to the exhibition, with judges resigning and demonstrations adding political pressure around the event.
The Biennale had already been shaken by the unexpected deaths of curator Koyo Kouoh and German representative Henrike Naumann before the opening.
Those disruptions turned the launch of one of the art world's biggest shows into a broader dispute over representation, politics and the role of Israeli artists.
With protests and boycotts raging, can the Venice Biennale's art truly offer a counterbalance to global chaos as intended?
A deceased curator's vision, no jury, and public-voted awards: is this the chaotic new future for the art world?