Romanian-born Israeli sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru is at the Venice Biennale spotlight as protests punctuate the preview. Fainaru, who immigrated to Israel in 1973, has a longstanding record in public sculpture, bridging memory and politics through monumental works.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened with protests, strikes and the international jury's resignation over the organisers' decision to allow Russia and Israel to participate. Dozens of pavilions have closed temporarily, the jury has quit, and visitors will vote for awards after organisers cancelled jury prizes.