When the Lebanese artist Raed Yassine invites Pop Art star Andy Warhol to the Middle East in his photomontage. (Credit: Muriel Maalouf/courtesy of the artist)
Before the artworks could capture the attention of visitors, politics took center stage in Venice. Between May 6 and 9 — the professional preview days before the exhibition opened to the public — the 61st Venice Biennale was marked by an unprecedented series of events: the jury’s resignation on the eve of the opening, strikes at several national pavilions, demonstrations by the Pussy Riot collective and the temporary closure of nearly 30 pavilions in solidarity with the protesters. How artists use international events to spotlight Israel's human rights abuses Filmmakers use Berlinale as platform to denounce German complicity in Israel's war on Gaza At the heart of the controversy was the presence of the Russian and Israeli pavilions, as the leaders of both countries stand accused before the International Criminal Court of war crimes...
Before the artworks could capture the attention of visitors, politics took center stage in Venice. Between May 6 and 9 — the professional preview days before the exhibition opened to the public — the 61st Venice Biennale was marked by an unprecedented series of events: the jury’s resignation on the eve of the opening, strikes at several national pavilions, demonstrations by the Pussy Riot collective and the temporary closure of nearly 30 pavilions in solidarity with the protesters. How artists use international events to spotlight Israel's human rights abuses Filmmakers use Berlinale as platform to denounce German complicity in Israel's war on Gaza At the heart of the controversy was the presence of the Russian and Israeli pavilions, as the leaders of both countries stand accused before the International Criminal Court of war...
