Are the Visitors' Lions at the Venice Biennale an Opportunity for Art Criticism? Let's Seize It?

The article discusses the newly instituted "Leoni dei Visitatori" (Visitors' Lions) at the Venice Biennale, established after the resignation of the International Jury. The author, Alberto Villa, argues that this change shifts significant influence to art media and critics, as visitors will rely on reviews and recommendations from specialized magazines, websites, and social media to decide which pavilions to prioritize. Villa calls on critics to embrace this responsibility with heightened critical rigor, seeing it as an opportunity to revive the mediating role of art criticism.

This matters because it repositions art criticism as a direct shaper of public opinion and awards, rather than a mere commentator on jury decisions. The article challenges the assumption that visitors lack expertise, suggesting that critics can either guide the public taste or measure their distance from popular opinion. It frames the situation as a chance to restore relevance to criticism in an era often declared dead, urging professionals to write seriously and responsibly for the voting audience.