At the Venice Biennale I saw anger at Russia and Israel – and its leadership pretending everything was fine | Charlotte Higgins

At the 2024 Venice Biennale, the Russian pavilion returned with festive performances and prosecco deliveries, drawing sharp criticism from observers who saw it as a propaganda effort to distract from Russia's war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Kramatorsk was bombed, and protests erupted, including a Pussy Riot intervention. Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended Russia's and Israel's participation, rejecting preemptive bans despite open letters and appeals. European Commission investigated potential sanctions breaches, and culture ministers from Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, and Baltic states boycotted or condemned the biennale's stance, accusing it of yielding to the aggressor.

Pavel Brǎila on Representing Moldova at the 61st Venice Biennale

Pavel Brǎila is representing Moldova at the 61st Venice Biennale with an installation titled "Echoes of Harmony and Silent Cries" (2026), featuring flying carpets that fill the pavilion space at Santa Veneranda. In an interview with ArtReview, Brǎila explains that the work was driven by the constant presence of war in the news—Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, and other conflicts—and evolved into a sound installation as the propellers of the carpets created a minor-key resonance. He describes his first visit to the Biennale 25 years ago as a festive art festival, but now sees the platform as a crucial opportunity to represent his country's voice and express his urgent feelings about the world.

National Museum of Bucovina to host Stefan Luchian painting exhibition as first

The National Museum of Bucovina in Suceava will open a major exhibition of works by Romanian painter Ștefan Luchian, marking 110 years since the artist's death. The exhibition, titled 'Ștefan Luchian - a universal artist,' will feature 42 works showcasing his flowers, landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, and is presented by gallerist and curator Damian Florea.

Milan Design Week 2026: A Guide to What to See in the Isola District (Celebrating its 10th Anniversary)

Milano Design Week 2026: guida sulle cose da vedere al distretto di Isola (che compie 10 anni)

The Isola Design Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary during Milan Design Week 2026 with the theme "TEN: The Evolving Now." Originally founded to provide an affordable platform for independent and young designers, the festival has expanded from a local neighborhood initiative into a global organization with a permanent presence in Dubai. The 2026 edition centers on the historic Fabbrica Sassetti, a 1930s wool mill, alongside various venues across the Isola district including Fondazione Catella and Stecca3.

Venice Biennale performances confront war and climate fears

At the 2026 Venice Biennale, visitors encountered provocative performances and installations addressing war, climate anxiety, and human coexistence. Highlights include a naked performer acting as a human bell clapper in Florentina Holzinger's "Seaworld Venice" at the Austrian Pavilion, lifelike baby dolls in Ei Arakawa-Nash's caregiving-focused work at the Japanese Pavilion, and drone-powered flying carpets in Moldova's pavilion that transform symbols of war into tools of peace. The Nordic Pavilion also presented surreal installations exploring coexistence and environmental fears.