Protests erupted against Israel’s participation in the Venice Biennale, despite the closure of the Israel Pavilion. However, Palestine faced its own challenges as it couldn’t host a pavilion due to Italy’s lack of recognition, a common stance among many EU countries. With curator Adriano Pedrosa selecting 30 events for the Biennale, Palestinian artists and gallerists anxiously awaited projects dedicated to their heritage, culture, and tradition.
One approved collateral project, “South West Bank: Landworks, Collective Action and Sound,” curated by Artists and Allies of Hebron and the Dar Jacir Center for Art and Research, amplifies Palestinian voices. Held at Palazzo Contarini Polignac, the exhibit features works by artists like Emily Jacir and Jumanna Manna. Notable resistance art pieces include Mohammed Saleh’s vlog on land reclamation post-Israeli army destruction and Shaima Hamad’s “Dough ball,” exploring Palestinian death rituals despite challenges posed by toxic soil.
Additionally, Sari Khoury’s “Grapes of Wrath” project revives a pre-1948 vineyard demolished by Israel. At the same time, Dima Srouji and Jasbir Puar delve into themes of destruction and healing in their collaboration, notably with “Untitled (Onion Masks).” In an interview with Artnet, Srouji underscored the ongoing response of Palestinian artists to occupation, emphasizing the imperative of recognizing their voices amid enduring trauma.
