Ruth Patir, the artist representing Israel at the Venice Biennale, has made it known that her exhibit, (M)otherland, will not be unveiled until a ceasefire is agreed upon and captives in the Gaza Strip are released. The opening of the video installation was scheduled for Saturday at Israel's national pavilion at the prestigious art show, but it will remain closed until further notice.
The decision to delay the exhibition was made in solidarity with the families of the hostages and the wider community in Israel advocating for change. The Venice Biennale, running from Saturday until November 24 in Venice, Italy, is a highly esteemed platform for contemporary art. Prior to the official opening, media representatives were given a sneak peek at the various countries' pavilions. Patir expressed her desire to utilize this significant opportunity to make a meaningful impact through her art. She emphasized her opposition to cultural boycotts but stressed the importance of standing in unity with those calling for a ceasefire and the release of captives. Israel reports that 129 captives, taken during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, are still held in Gaza, with 34 individuals presumed dead. Following the attacks, Israel initiated a military campaign in Gaza resulting in the deaths of at least 33,843 people and injuries to 76,575, as reported by Palestinian authorities.
The Israeli military offensive has resulted in the displacement of over 80 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants and has left much of the region in ruins. Humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the possibility of a famine in certain areas of Gaza due to Israel's ongoing restrictions on the delivery of aid supplies.
A significant number of artists, curators, and critics have expressed their opposition to Israel's involvement in the event as a form of protest against the conflict in Gaza. Those against Israel's presence have also indicated their intention to demonstrate during the biennale.
The Art Not Genocide Alliance, an international collective of artists and cultural workers advocating for Israel's exclusion from the Venice Biennale, has stated that showcasing art from a country engaged in atrocities against the Palestinian population in Gaza is unacceptable.
Despite the opposition, Italy's Minister of Culture has supported Israel's participation, making it one of 88 countries taking part in the 60th edition of the art exhibition. The opening of the event was marked by heightened security, with Italian soldiers stationed in front of Israel's pavilion.
The Venice Biennale has seen its fair share of political controversies in the past. In 2022, Russian artists withdrew from the event in protest against the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine, and this year, Russia did not seek to participate in the biennale.
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