VENICE — Dozens of artists participating in the Venice Biennale have threatened legal action if their names remain on a visitor voting ballot. These artists submitted an initial request for removal from the ballot on May 20.
The visitor voting ballot allows attendees to select the best national pavilion and the best participant in the main exhibition. This voting process was implemented after the Biennale jury resigned from its awarding duties in protest of Israel's and Russia's participation in the event. The jury cited International Criminal Court investigations regarding crimes against humanity in Ukraine and Gaza in its resignation announcement. The Biennale opened on May 9. Protests occurred outside the Israeli and Russian pavilions during the week preceding the public opening.
Signatory artists, curators, and commissioners stated they are initiating steps toward legal action. A protest letter signed by participating artists, curators, and commissioners stated, "The voting process lacked transparency and accountability." The letter characterized the voting procedure as "a waste of time" and stated it asks visitors "to cast votes that cannot be counted."
Approximately 70 main show artists and nearly 40 national pavilions signed the request for removal. Austrian artist Florentina Holzinger is among those requesting removal, as are the national pavilions of Iceland, Norway, and Denmark. Representatives from these countries had previously advocated for excluding Russia from the event after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Biennale stated in a May 28 letter that all names will remain on the ballot. Representatives said this decision was made to "guarantee all visitors have the freedom of expression." The Biennale also confirmed that protest signatories will be excluded from consideration for the visitor vote awards. Visitors to the Giardini and Arsenale venues will cast votes for the two awards replacing the jury selection. These awards will be announced on Nov. 22, the closing day of the exhibition. The main exhibition, curated by Koyo Kouoh, is titled "In Minor Keys."