Venice Biennale Participants Demand Israel's Exclusion
Nearly 200 participants of the Venice Biennale have signed an open letter demanding the exclusion of Israel from this year's exhibition, citing concerns over the country's actions in Gaza. The letter, organized by the Art Not Genocide Alliance, has garnered 182 signatories, including artists and curators from 35 of the 99 national pavilions. The Biennale Foundation has stated that it will not consider petitions to exclude nations recognized by the Italian Republic.
Vignesh Sundaresan Confirmed Sole Buyer of $69.3 Million NFT
Vignesh Sundaresan has been confirmed as the sole purchaser of Beeple's $69.3 million NFT, concluding a legal dispute that began in 2023. Anand Venkateswaran, a former independent contractor, admitted he had no role in the purchase, and as part of the settlement, he is prohibited from claiming any co-founding or decision-making authority related to the NFT or associated entities. The settlement also requires Venkateswaran to clarify his previous role on social media and reach out to nearly 50 third-party websites to amend descriptions of his involvement.
