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More than 100 artists at the Venice Biennale issued a legal threat
More than 100 artists participating in the Venice Biennale said they received no response to their request to remove their names from the award process and threatened legal action...
More than 100 artists participating in the Venice Biennale announced that they may take legal action, claiming that their applications to have their names removed from the Award Lions process, determined by visitor votes, were ignored.
In a statement published on June 3, artists featured in the Biennale's In Minor Keys exhibition and various national pavilions expressed their discomfort with their requests being disregarded. Names such as Walid Raad, Laurie Anderson, and Pio Abad also signed the statement.
What did the artists request?
The artists argued that the public was directed to vote in a process that was neither transparent nor accountable. They also expressed the view that it was a waste of time for visitors to vote for names whose results would not be counted.
The group said they might initiate legal proceedings as a next step but did not provide details on how this process would unfold.
The statement also included a re-sharing of a letter dated May 20. In this letter, the artists expressed surprise that their names still appeared on the list despite previous requests and asked for their names to be removed from all areas related to the Award Lions.
The artists requested written confirmation that votes given to these names would be invalidated and that the necessary changes on the website would be made immediately.
What was the Biennale's response?
The Biennale announced that a response was given to the artists on May 28. According to the text shared by the institution, the artists will remain on the list during the award process to ensure visitors' freedom of expression; however, votes cast for signatories who requested withdrawal will not be counted.
The Biennale also reported that no further response has been received to the May 20 letter so far.
Background of the tension
The dispute flared up after the five-member jury of the Biennale resigned on April 30. The jury resigned following debates over the participation of Israel and Russia.
Before resigning, the jury had announced that it would not consider artists from countries whose leaders face arrest warrants for crimes against humanity for awards. This stance was interpreted as extending to Israel and Russia as well.
After the jury's withdrawal, the Biennale announced that two Golden Lions would be determined by public vote this time. On May 9, the first public day of the Biennale, about 70 artists announced their withdrawal from the award evaluation. The number of signatories later rose to 106.
The tension between the parties brought the award process of this year's Biennale to the center of debates on art, representation, and transparency. The artists' statement also raised the possibility that this dispute could turn into a legal matter.
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