Israeli Artist Delays Opening of Venice Biennale Pavilion for Hostage Deal and Gaza Ceasefire

Israel's representative at the Venice Biennale exhibition has announced that the country's pavilion will not be unveiled until a hostage and ceasefire deal is reached in Gaza. Artist Ruth Patir made this statement on Instagram on Tuesday, stating that the exhibit in Italy will only open once the release of hostages and a ceasefire agreement occur.

Patir said she would raise her voice “with those I stand with in their scream, ceasefire now, bring the people back from captivity. We can’t take it anymore.”

In Demian DinéYazhi´'s neon poetry, flickering letters spelled the hidden plea “Free Palestine.” The final component to the Diné artist's installation was unknown to the Whitney Biennial’s curators.

In Demian DinéYazhi´'s neon poetry, the flickering letters spelled out the hidden plea "Free Palestine." The final piece of the Diné artist's installation came as a surprise to the curators of the Whitney Biennial.

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A Whitney Biennial artist’s hidden message, ‘Free Palestine,’ asks viewers to take a long look

The Venice Biennale is a global event celebrating art and culture that takes place every other year, lasting for eight months. It brings together some of the most talented artists from around the world in one location.

Every year, a creative director is chosen to organize the main exhibition, which greatly influences the overall atmosphere and direction of the festival.

More than 23,000 people signed a petition to exclude Israel from an international cultural exhibition. This comes as there are increasing calls for a ceasefire and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Israel began a military offensive in Gaza on October 7 in response to actions by the militant group Hamas, who had killed over 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others.

Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 33,797 Palestinians and injuries to 76,465 more, as reported by the Ministry of Health in the region. Human Rights Watch and Oxfam have accused Israel of conducting indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks that violate international law, as well as imposing collective punishments on the civilian population.

Patir, along with commissioners Mira Lapidot and Tamar Margalit, expressed their concern that they had become the focus of recent news instead of the art and exhibition titled "(M)otherland." Patir stated that if she has such a significant platform, she wants to make a meaningful impact. She emphasized her opposition to cultural boycotts but decided to take action because she believed there was no clear solution.

Italian soldiers patrol the Israeli national pavilion at the Biennale contemporary art fair in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Italian soldiers patrol the Israeli national pavilion at the Biennale contemporary art fair in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Colleen Barry/AP

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the intersection of art, politics, and humanitarianism. Israel's decision to withhold the unveiling of its Venice Biennale pavilion until a hostage and ceasefire deal is reached in Gaza reflects the growing pressure on cultural institutions to address social and political issues. Artist Ruth Patir's activism underscores the power of art as a platform for protest and advocacy.

The Whitney Biennial's inclusion of Demian DinéYazhi´'s neon poetry with the hidden message "Free Palestine" further demonstrates the urgency of the Palestinian cause in the international art world. The increasing calls for a cultural boycott of Israel, as evidenced by the petition with over 23,000 signatures, amplify the voices of those who believe that art should not be complicit in oppression. The article serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for peace and justice in the Middle East and the role that art can play in raising awareness and inspiring action.