The Venice Biennale has announced the voting rules for the new Visitors' Lion awards, which replace the traditional Golden Lions after the original jury resigned before the opening. On the same day the popular voting opened, dozens of artists from the central exhibition 'In Minor Keys' and several National Pavilions announced their withdrawal from the competition in solidarity with the resigned jury, releasing a statement via e-flux on May 9, 2026. The voting system requires visitors to have attended both the Giardini and Arsenale venues, with anonymous voting open until November 22, 2026.
This protest marks a significant disruption to the 61st Venice Biennale, highlighting deep tensions between the institution and participating artists over the replacement of the jury-selected Golden Lions with a public vote. The withdrawal of prominent artists like Laurie Anderson, Walid Raad, and Otobong Nkanga signals a collective rejection of the new award system, potentially undermining the Biennale's credibility and the legitimacy of the Visitors' Lion. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about curatorial authority, artist autonomy, and the role of audience participation in major international exhibitions.