Artists threaten legal action over Venice Biennale voting controversy

Key Points:

• Dozens of artists at the Venice Biennale are threatening legal action if their names are not removed from a visitor voting ballot for awards, following the jury's resignation over Israel and Russia's participation.
• The jury quit in protest, leading to the cancellation of the prestigious Golden Lion awards and replacement by visitor voting for best national pavilion and best participant, with results to be announced on November 22.
• Artists and curators criticized the voting process as lacking transparency and accountability, calling it a "waste of time," and requested removal from the ballot, which the Biennale refused, stating all names would remain but signatories would be ineligible for prizes.
• The jury's resignation highlighted concerns over Russia and Israel due to International Criminal Court investigations into alleged war crimes in Ukraine and Gaza, sparking protests at their pavilions.
• Among those seeking removal from the voting are about 70 artists and nearly 40 national pavilions, including Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, which have advocated for Russia's exclusion from the Biennale.