The 61st Venice Biennale has scrapped its traditional Golden Lion awards, replacing them with public-voted “Visitor Lions” after the entire award jury resigned on April 30. The jury had previously announced its intention to exclude countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, effectively targeting Russia and Israel. The Biennale Foundation, however, stated that all official national pavilions—including Russia and Israel—will be eligible for the new Visitor Lions, citing principles of inclusion and equal treatment. The awards ceremony has been moved from May 9 to November 22, the final day of the Biennale, to allow ticket holders to vote throughout the event.
This decision matters because it marks a dramatic shift in how one of the art world’s most prestigious institutions handles political controversy and audience engagement. By replacing the expert jury with a public vote, the Biennale risks undermining the authority of its top prizes while simultaneously defusing a boycott crisis that threatened to overshadow the exhibition. The inclusion of Russia and Israel in the new voting system directly contradicts the jury’s stance, highlighting deep tensions between institutional neutrality and calls for accountability in the global art community. The outcome could set a precedent for how major biennials navigate geopolitical conflicts and public participation in the future.