The awards ceremony for the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, which was supposed to take place on May 9, was postponed to November 22 and a vote by visitors was introduced. This is stated in the official statement of La Biennale di Venezia, released on April 30.
The exhibition organizers explained this decision by the resignation of the international jury and “the exceptional nature of the current international geopolitical situation.” It was decided to hold the award ceremony on the last day of the exhibition.
Instead of the previous format, this year the Venice Biennale introduced two new awards – “Lions of Visitors”. They will be awarded to the best participant in the main exhibition In Minor Keys and the best national participant. Ticket holders who visited both exhibition locations between May 9 and November 22 will have the right to vote, with the opportunity to cast one vote in each of the two categories. Attendance will be verified via a ticket tracking system.
All national pavilions from the official list of the 61st exhibition will be able to compete in the category of best national participation, which, according to the organizers, is in line with the principles of inclusivity, equal treatment of participants, as well as “the fundamental spirit of La Biennale, which is based on openness, dialogue and the rejection of any form of secrecy or censorship.”
“La Biennale strives to be – and must remain – a place of truce in the name of art, culture and creative freedom,” the statement said.
This statement by the organizers of the Venice Biennale means that Russia will be able to compete for awards, writes Politico.
