The international jury for the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, titled "In Minor Keys," has issued a statement declaring their intention to exclude from consideration any countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. The jury, chaired by Solange Farkas and including members Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, was selected by artistic director Koyo Kouoh to award the Golden and Silver Lions among the 110 artists in the exhibition.
This decision matters because it directly challenges the Venice Biennale's traditional structure of nation-state pavilions, asserting that artistic representation cannot be separated from the actions of the represented government. By linking the jury's award process to international human rights law, the statement sets a significant precedent for how major art institutions can take political and ethical stances, potentially influencing future biennials and large-scale exhibitions. It also aligns with Kouoh's curatorial vision of listening to "minor keys" and safeguarding dignity, making the Biennale a platform for moral as well as artistic judgment.