On May 8, thousands marched through Venice and more than two dozen national pavilions were partially or fully shuttered during a 24-hour strike organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance and local activist groups. The strike, which included Palestinian flags draped over artworks, marks the first cultural strike in the Venice Biennale's 131-year history. Italian police beat back protesters as Editor-in-Chief Hakim Bishara reported from the scene. Separately, a nesting seagull near the Polish pavilion became an unexpected star, and the LA Art Book Fair opened with a focus on archival materials.
This strike is historic because it disrupts the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious art events, with a coordinated political action for Palestine and workers' rights. The involvement of dozens of national pavilions signals significant solidarity within the international art community, potentially influencing future biennale policies and discourse around cultural boycotts. The event also highlights the growing intersection of art activism and institutional critique.