Power to the People? More Than 50 Artists “Afraid” of the Public’s Vote at Venice Biennale

Artists in the central exhibition, as well as artists, curators and exhibition staff representing 16 national pavilions – from France and Spain to Cyprus and Ecuador – have withdrawn ‘in solidarity with the resignation of the jury selected by Koyo Kouoh’, they said in a statement published on e-flux.

The international jury, which traditionally selects a Golden and Silver Lion, one each for the best National Pavilion and best artist in the Central Pavilion, resigned on 30 April. The Biennale organisers subsequently announced a new ‘Visitor Lion’ award system, subject to a public vote of ‘ticket holders who have visited both exhibition venues during the opening period’.