The Israeli pavilion at the 60th Venice Art Biennale will remain closed out of “solidarity” until the release of hostages in the hands of Hamas and the conclusion of a ceasefire in Gaza, the exhibiting artist announced Tuesday and the conservatives. “The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a ceasefire and hostage release agreement is reached,” reads the website of the Israeli exhibition at the protest. art, which opens to the public on Saturday.
“The decision by the artist and curators is not intended to censor themselves or the exhibition; They choose instead to adopt a position of solidarity with the families of the hostages and the greater Israeli community which is calling for change,” they explain.
Called (M)otherland, the exhibition highlights the work of director Ruth Patir on her relationship with her country of origin through a video installation. “We have become news, not art,” the artist and director explained on Instagram. “I strongly oppose the cultural boycott, but since I think there is no right answer and I can only do what I can with the space I have, I prefer to add my voice to those who are calling out this cry: Immediate ceasefire, bring back the hostages, we can’t take it anymore,” she added.
In February, organizers confirmed Israel’s participation despite a call for a boycott by thousands of artists, architects and curators, described as “shameful” by the Italian Minister of Culture.
The war was triggered by an unprecedented attack carried out on October 7 by Hamas on Israeli soil from Gaza, which left 1,170 dead, mostly civilians, according to an AFP report based on official Israeli data. More than 250 people have been kidnapped and 129 remain held in Gaza, 34 of whom have died according to Israeli officials.
In retaliation, Israel promised to destroy Hamas, in power in Gaza since 2007, which it considers a terrorist organization along with the United States and the European Union. Its army launched an offensive that has so far left 33,843 people dead in the Palestinian territory, according to the Hamas health ministry.
A total of 88 countries will be represented at the 60th Venice Art Biennale, which will open its doors from April 20 to November 24 with the theme Foreigners everywhere. In recent years, several countries engaged in conflicts or political crises have renounced their participation. In 2022, the Russian curator and artists selected to represent their country had resigned due to the invasion of Ukraine.