> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # A Venice Biennale in Protest - URL: https://hyperallergic.com/a-venice-biennale-in-protest/ - Published: 2026-05-07T10:00:22.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-08T13:04:55.000Z - Description: Rallies and revelations about the Israeli pavilion, shows to see in Upstate New York, and remembering Steven Durland. - Author: Hyperallergic - Tags: Daily Newsletter, Newsletter Journalist Omar El Akkad’s viral aphorism, “one day, everyone will have always been against this,” hangs solemnly over the art-world Olympics. At this week’s Venice Biennale previews, so far, the protests are louder than the art — as is the silence of those who choose not to speak up. *Hyperallergic* Editor-in-Chief Hakim Bishara reports from a roaring rally outside the Israeli pavilion, where South African artist Nolan Oswald Dennis tells him that being honest is "an artist's duty." Avedis Hadjian covers a pink smoke-filled Pussy Riot and FEMEN action against Russia’s participation, and Staff Reporter Rhea Nayyar has the latest on the Biennale jury’s sudden decision to resign. Stay on top of Venice news with our writers on the ground this week, and read on for shows to see in Upstate New York, a glimpse into the life of Jack Kerouac, and a tribute to art figures we recently lost. —*Valentina Di Liscia, senior editor* --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/venice-protest-newsletter.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/hundreds-protest-israels-genocide-pavilion-at-venice-biennale/) Hundreds protested in front of the Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale on May 6\. (photo Hrag Vartanian/**Hyperallergic*) ### [Hundreds Protest Israel’s “Genocide Pavilion” at Venice Biennale](https://hyperallergic.com/hundreds-protest-israels-genocide-pavilion-at-venice-biennale/) Activists led by the Art Not Genocide Alliance blocked the entrance to Israel’s pavilion while waving Palestinian flags on the first day of exhibition previews. | Hakim Bishara --- SPONSORED [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/kagan-ad.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/steel-and-shadows-converge-in-larry-kagan-men/) ****Steel And Shadows Converge in “Larry Kagan: Men”** Opening May 9 at Louis K. Meisel Gallery in New York City, this exhibition invites viewers to reconsider sculpture and perception. [Learn more ](https://hyperallergic.com/steel-and-shadows-converge-in-larry-kagan-men/) --- ## More Biennale News [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/MaxAvdeev_DSCF3310-1-1.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/pussy-riot-and-topless-activists-rally-against-russian-pavilion-at-venice-biennale/) Pussy Riot and FEMEN storm the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale on May 6\. (photo Max Avdeev, courtesy Pussy Riot) - Activists from the art collective Pussy Riot and FEMEN, a Ukrainian feminist movement, [protested Russia’s participation](https://hyperallergic.com/pussy-riot-and-topless-activists-rally-against-russian-pavilion-at-venice-biennale/) in this year’s Venice Biennale. - Israeli pavilion artist Belu-Simion Fainaru [made legal threats](https://hyperallergic.com/israeli-pavilion-artist-made-legal-threats-before-venice-biennale-jury-resigned/) against the Venice Biennale for alleged antisemitism and discrimination before its jury resigned. --- ## New York Shows [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/upstate-art-shows-.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/10-exhibitions-to-see-in-upstate-new-york-this-may/) Sara Cwynar, “96 Pictures of Sophie 1, 2 and 3” (2019) (image courtesy Hessel Museum of Art) ### [10 Exhibitions to See in Upstate New York This May](https://hyperallergic.com/10-exhibitions-to-see-in-upstate-new-york-this-may/) Irina Lotarevich’s edgy minimalism, Koyoltzintli’s investigations into a sacred object, Daniele Frazier’s explorations in camera-less photography, and more. | Taliesin Thomas ### [Shoot the Shit With Jack Kerouac](https://hyperallergic.com/shoot-the-shit-with-jack-kerouac/) In NYC, an exhibition of cherished letters, photographs, and talismans brings us into the daily life of the reluctant Beat Generation icon. | Greta Rainbow --- SPONSORED [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/01_Shawn-Brigman_Concrete-sturgeon-nose-canoe-2.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/parallaxe-perspectives-on-the-canada-us-border-the-reach/) ****Parallax(e): Perspectives on the Canada–US Border** Works by five Indigenous artists respond to the legacy of the Northwest Boundary Survey (1857–62) in this exhibition at The Reach. On view through May 30. [Learn more ](https://hyperallergic.com/parallaxe-perspectives-on-the-canada-us-border-the-reach/) --- ## In Memoriam [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/stevn.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/steven-durland-champion-of-performance-art-dies-at-75/) Steven Durland at the launch of **High Performance: A 2-Year Conference (2025–2027)* (photo Monica Orozco, courtesy Performance Art Museum) ### [Steven Durland, Champion of Performance Art, Dies at 75](https://hyperallergic.com/steven-durland-champion-of-performance-art-dies-at-75/) A longtime editor of High Performance magazine in Los Angeles, Durland maintained his own practice while advocating for the art form. | Liz Hirsch ### [Remembering Georg Baselitz, Nicole Hollander, and Doris Fisher](https://hyperallergic.com/remembering-georg-baselitz-nicole-hollander-and-doris-fisher/) This week, we honor a German Neo-Expressionist, the creator of the “Sylvia” comic strip, and an arts patron behind SFMOMA. --- ## From the Archive [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/2026/05/california-newsletter.jpg)](https://hyperallergic.com/capturing-the-elusive-magic-of-californias-golden-light/) Gay Summer Rick, “Stand By” (photo Elon Schoenholz, courtesy the artist) ### [Capturing the Elusive Magic of California’s Golden Light](https://hyperallergic.com/capturing-the-elusive-magic-of-californias-golden-light/) Artists have long been drawn to California’s sun-cloaked landscapes. But now, this idyllic light might be fading against the backdrop of social inequalities and rising air pollution. | Renée Reizman