The South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale will remain unoccupied this year due to a decision by Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to cancel artist Gabrielle Goliath's planned exhibition, deemed "highly divisive." Despite this setback, attendees can experience Goliath's powerful installation just a short distance away at the Chiesa di Sant'Antonin, where the work has taken on new significance.
Within the historic church, Goliath showcases various filmed segments from her ongoing performance series, Elegy. This series pays tribute to victims of violence in South Africa and beyond, including the tragic killings of marginalized individuals and the historical genocide in Namibia. A poignant new piece commemorating Gazan poet Hiba Abu Nada, who tragically lost her life in an Israeli airstrike, is prominently featured, displayed across five screens in the nave.
The church's acoustics amplify the haunting laments of women, creating a solemn atmosphere as their voices intertwine in a collective mourning. This juxtaposition of Black and brown bodies against the backdrop of the church's murals underscores the work's powerful message.
While the cancellation has been speculated to stem from the Palestinian themes in Goliath's work, she remains steadfast in her commitment to address these issues. During the exhibition's opening, she remarked, "The minister's letters made it clear that the aspects of femicide in South Africa were acceptable, but Palestinian life needed to be omitted." This highlights a troubling trend in public discourse regarding the value placed on different lives.
Goliath's reflections reveal a deep engagement with the question of whose lives are deemed worthy of mourning. The ongoing violence against women in South Africa has been labeled a national crisis, yet the deaths of Palestinians remain politically charged and often overlooked. Goliath emphasizes the need for a broader acknowledgment of all lives lost to violence.
In response to the cancellation, Goliath has received significant support from various organizations and individuals, including the Patriarchate of Venice, which offered the church as an alternative venue. "Their willingness to host this work speaks volumes," she noted, expressing gratitude for the solidarity shown.
On Thursday, Goliath will further expand the Elegy project with the launch of the Elegy Reader, a collection of poetic responses addressing the crises in Gaza, Namibia, and South Africa, among others. This initiative aims to foster a collective act of mourning, inviting the public to engage in a shared remembrance of those lost to violence.
Goliath's work challenges us to consider the broader implications of how we recognize and honor lives affected by violence. As she continues to push boundaries in her art, the future may hold greater awareness and empathy for marginalized voices.