The Biennale did not give a reason for the move, which marks a dramatic escalation in a dispute that has thrown one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art events into turmoil days before its May 9 opening, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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The five-strong jury, headed by Brazilian curator Solange Farkas, said last week that “in the defence of human rights” it would not consider works from countries whose leaders face charges at the International Criminal Court.
The only two countries affected were Russia and Israel, with the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin in relation to the war in Ukraine, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza war.
