The 61st Venice Biennale opened its preview on Tuesday, described as its most chaotic edition to date, following the unprecedented resignation of its jury. This dramatic move, prompted by the participation of Israel and Russia , has significantly undermined the foundational structure of the world’s oldest contemporary art exhibition.

Tensions were immediately evident within the storied Giardini. Ukrainian artists stood beside a truck that had transported an origami deer sculpture from the war-ravaged eastern front. Just metres away, a small group of participants at the Russian Pavilion danced to house music provided by an Argentine DJ.

Concurrently, a group of Palestinians marched through the grounds, displaying the names of artists who have been killed in Gaza.…