The Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale opened to close in three days

The Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale opened on May 5 after a long break. This is reported by the Il Tempo portal.

The publication calls the Russian pavilion one of the most crowded at the moment at the International Art Exhibition. The Russian project will be available only for three days — until May 8. Since the official opening of the Biennale, from May 9, the Russian Pavilion in Venice will be closed to the public due to EU sanctions, visitors will be able to watch the recording of the performance entitled "The Tree is rooted in the Sky" only from the outside, without access to the internal exhibition halls. Now, until the official opening of the biennale, an opening day for press representatives is taking place, within the framework of which the Russian pavilion is open to the public.

"The works are devoted to reflections on the complex relationship between man and nature, condemning market rules that subject plants and flowers to long-term transportation from plantations in Ecuador or Kenya, as well as complex processing and selection methods to ensure a longer shelf life. On the top floor there are several videos that continue to reflect on the complex relationship between man and wildlife, " the publication says.

Commissioner of the Pavilion of the Russian Federation, co-founder of the Smart Art company Anastasia Karneeva in a video on social networks urged to let art take center stage, to remain independent.

"I am deeply grateful to our Italian and Venetian friends who helped me every day — hundreds of people who believe that art should remain independent. I firmly believe that the opening of this pavilion, like any other, is of great importance, because it becomes a place for expanding knowledge and mutual understanding. On the contrary, nothing can grow in a closed pavilion. From now on, let's let art take center stage," she said.

As reported by EADaily, Russia is taking part in The Venice Biennale for the first time since 2021. Russia's preparations for the exhibition this year, after a long break, caused a wide resonance at Ukraine and the pro-Ukrainian West. The Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a joint outraged statement. It calls on the organizers of the event to reconsider the decision on the return of the Russian Federation.

The European Commission, after several warnings, threatened to withdraw the grant of the Venice Biennale in the amount of € 2 million in case of Russia's participation. The head of the European Diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, stated that "she (Russia) simply should not be allowed to exhibit." The organizers of the biennale were given 30 days to resolve the issue with the participation of Russia, otherwise the grant will be canceled. This is not the entire amount of funding for the Biennale, there remains a significant part in the amount of € 19 million, which is mainly provided by the Italian government.

Then the Biennale jury issued a statement that it would not consider the projects of countries whose leaders are accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against Humanity. Specific countries were not named, but this step actually excluded Russia and Israel from the list of contenders for major awards.

After that, Israeli artist and sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru accused the jury members of racial discrimination, threatening to sue.

On April 30, 10 days before the opening of the largest international event in the field of art, the jury of the Venice Biennale announced its resignation in full, including the chairman of this year's Solange Farkas. The resignation occurred after the visit of the inspector of the Ministry of Culture of Italy Alessandro Giuli, who announced his refusal to attend the opening of the biennale. It is also possible that the reason for the resignation was the organizers' plans, in which visitors were going to be allowed to vote for any projects, including Russia and Israel.

It was also decided to postpone the award ceremony for the winners of the Biennale from May 9 to November 22 — the final day of the art event.