DUBAI: Iran has cancelled its participation in this year’s Venice Biennale just days before the opening on May 9, the exhibition’s organizers have announced.
“With regard to the National Participations in the 61st International Art Exhibition, ‘In Minor Keys’ by Koyo Kouoh (May 9 to Nov. 22), it has been announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not participate,” the statement said on Monday, without providing a reason.
Although Iran had been expected to take part, it had not announced any details about its selected artist or pavilion, listing only Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani, the director-general of visual arts at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, as the commissioner.
The cancellation adds to an already turbulent lead-up to the biennale’s 61st edition. Just last week, the event’s five-member prize jury stepped down, amid a deepening dispute over the inclusion of Israel and Russia.
The panel had previously stated it would exclude artists representing countries whose leaders are subject to arrest warrants for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court — a stance widely seen as targeting both nations.
The jury was made up of its president Solange Farkas, Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi.
In the absence of a jury, the two Golden Lion prizes, awarded for best national participation and best artist in the main exhibition, will now be decided via a popular vote, with the ceremony pushed back from May to November.
Ticket holders who have visited both of the biennale’s main venues, the Giardini and the Arsenale, will be eligible to vote.
The biennale has about 100 countries taking part, including new participants, Tanzania and Seychelles.
