RIO DE JANEIRO: Dozens of artists taking part in Sao Paulo’s 31st Art Biennial have lodged a protest against the event after it received sponsorship from Israel.

The biennial, which started in 1951 and is the second oldest art biennial in the world after Venice, dating back to 1895, is scheduled to open its doors next on Saturday.

But it will do so amid controversy after more than 50 artists urged organisers to return around $40,000 funding from Israel, whose consulate in the city is one of the sponsors of the event, in protest at the recent conflict in Gaza.

An artist from Ramallah, Ruanne Abou-Rahme, due to exhibit at the show with fellow Palestinian Basel Abbas, was among some 60 signatories to an open letter to organisers, prompting Globo daily to dub the event the “Biennial of conflict.” Three Israeli artists are set to feature with around 70 participants in total at this year’s event. The exhibition’s website shows the Israeli consulate, which could not be reached for comment Saturday, as a sponsor.

Globo, however, quoted, Consul-general Yoel Barnea as saying he was surprised at the row.

“We are democratic — there are different points of view in our country,” said Barnea, adding he did not want to see culture and politics mix. He insisted the sponsorship would not be withdrawn and that he planned to attend the show.

Published in Dawn, August 31th, 2014