The Venice Biennale recently kicked off its professional pre-opening, and artists seized the moment to voice their concerns. Around 60 artists gathered at the Giardini entrance, staging a performance titled "Solidarity Drone Chorus" to protest Israel's participation in the event and to show support for Palestine.
During this action, participants hummed "Drone Song," a composition by Gazan musician Ahmed "Muin" Abu Amsha, aiming to "sonically occupy space." Following this, the group proceeded in a procession towards the Central Pavilion.
Artist Carolina Caycedo shared her thoughts with ARTnews, stating, "The sound of drones is so heavy and present on a daily basis in Gaza." The performance aimed to bring awareness to the harsh realities faced by Gazans and to highlight their daily acts of resistance.
This initiative was organized over several months, led by artists from the main exhibition. It followed an open letter from the activist group Art Not Genocide Alliance, which called for the Venice Biennale to reconsider Israel's participation. This letter garnered nearly 200 signatures from artists, curators, and other arts professionals associated with this year's Biennale.
Caycedo expressed her outrage at the decision to relocate the Israeli Pavilion within the Arsenale, stating it implicates artists in a political stance they do not support. She emphasized that the action was not solely about the Israeli Pavilion but aimed at elevating Palestinian voices within the discourse.
Many participants wore T-shirts featuring the names of Gazan and Palestinian artists who have tragically lost their lives in recent years. The shirts also displayed artworks by these artists, further emphasizing their contributions and the impact of their loss. Caycedo and fellow artist Rui Dias Monteiro distributed information introducing artists such as Farah Qarmout and Ola Al Shrif, who have recently relocated from Gaza.
The list of featured artists on the T-shirts was a collaborative effort led by Palestinian artists involved in the "In Minor Keys" exhibition and the Palestinian Museum in Ramallah. One anonymous artist emphasized the need for collective action, stating that the Biennale's acceptance of countries with controversial human rights records cannot go unchallenged.
The artists plan to continue their performance throughout the week, demonstrating their commitment to raising awareness and fostering dialogue around these critical issues.