Several national pavilions at the Venice Biennale were shut down after artists staged a strike, protesting working conditions, funding disparities, and the event's relationship with sponsors linked to geopolitical conflicts. The closures disrupted the opening week of the prestigious international exhibition, with participating artists and curators withdrawing their work or locking pavilion doors in solidarity.
The strike marks an unprecedented moment of collective action within the Biennale, one of the art world's most influential events. It highlights growing tensions between artists and institutional structures, raising urgent questions about ethics, labor rights, and the role of art in political protest. The upheaval could reshape how future biennials negotiate artist demands and corporate partnerships.