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Edited by: TJVNews.com
In a despicable move, thousands of artists have united to call on the prestigious Venice Biennale to exclude Israel’s national pavilion from this year’s event. According to information provided in a recently published report on the Art News web site, the open letter, signed by a diverse array of participants, Turner Prize winners, acclaimed artists, and a curator of a major international biennial, have accused the Biennale of providing a platform to what they describe as a “genocidal apartheid state.”
The call for the removal of Israel’s pavilion comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions and violence in the region. ArtNews.com reported that the letter highlighted the death toll in Gaza, which has surged to nearly 30,000 since the October 7 Hamas attack. The attack, which resulted in the loss of 1,200 Israeli lives and the taking of more than 200 hostages, triggered a series of Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion in Gaza.
The open letter explicitly labels Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide” and strongly advocates for an immediate ceasefire. The artists have argued that showcasing art representing a state engaged in what they perceive as committing ongoing atrocities against Palestinians is morally unacceptable, as was noted in the ArtNews.com report. The letter features the controversial phrase: “No Genocide Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.”
The letter goes on to criticize the Venice Biennale, accusing it of applying a “double standard.” The artists claim that while the Biennale spoke out in support of Ukraine after the Russian invasion in 2022, it has yet to make a statement on the Gaza situation, according to the report on the ArtNews.com web site. This alleged inconsistency raised questions among the artists about the Biennale’s stance on geopolitical conflicts and the role it plays in expressing solidarity.
This year, Israel is set to be represented by artist Ruth Patir. In response to the ongoing conflict and the Hamas attack, Patir and curators Mira Lapidot and Tamar Margalit expressed being “stunned and terrified, “ArtNews.com reported. They emphasized their grief and deep concern for the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, echoing the tragic loss of lives and expressing worry about the future.
Faisal Saleh, director of the Palestine Museum US, revealed that his proposal for an exhibition at the Venice Biennale this year was rejected. This decision stands in stark contrast to the museum’s officially sanctioned exhibition alongside the 2022 Biennale, as per the report on the ArtNews.com web site. Despite the rejection of Saleh’s proposal, a collateral event featuring Palestinian artists will still take place. However, it is notable that this event is not organized by the Palestine Museum US. The inclusion of Palestinian artists in peripheral events highlighted the persistence of Palestinian narratives.
Notable signatories of the open letter include photographer Nan Goldin, who publicly protested against what she perceived as the New York Times’ complicity with Israel, as was reported by ArtNews.com. Similarly, artist Mike Parr faced repercussions from his Australian gallerist.
Jesse Darling, winner of the Turner Prize, joined a host of artists in signing the open letter, amplifying the call for Israel to initiate a ceasefire in Gaza. ArtNews.com also reported that artists such as Carolina Caycedo, Meriem Bennani, Naeem Mohaiemen, Frieda Toranzo Jaeger, Evan Ifekoya, Lydia Ourahmane, and Katja Novitskova loaned their voices to the cause of demanding a ceasefire.
