On the second day of the Venice Biennale preview, the activist group Pussy Riot staged a chaotic protest at the Russian pavilion, forcing it to temporarily close. Wearing pink balaclavas and carrying flares, about 40 activists—including members of Femen—gathered outside the pavilion, shouting slogans like "Blood is Russia's Art" and attempting to enter before being pushed back by police. Founding member Nadya Tolokonnikova led the protest, condemning Europe for allowing Russian participation despite the war in Ukraine. Separately, the Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga) demonstrated outside the Israeli pavilion, which was locked from inside, over Israel's war in Gaza.
The protest highlights escalating diplomatic tensions surrounding Russia's involvement in the Biennale, with the European Commission reportedly telling Italian authorities that allowing the Russian delegation would breach EU sanctions. The incident also reflects broader political turmoil at the event: the Golden Lion jury resigned en masse after being told they could face legal liability if they excluded entries from countries with leaders subject to international arrest warrants, including Russia and Israel. The protests underscore how geopolitical conflicts increasingly overshadow the art on display at major international exhibitions, forcing institutions to navigate complex ethical and legal pressures.