A sensory journey through restful oases, choral processions, and a heartfelt tribute to a curator who permanently changed the rules of the game
The Venice lagoon recently marked a historic date with the grand opening of the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. This year, the world-renowned kermesse is far more than a showcase of global talent; it is a profound act of love, resilience, and memory. Running from May 9 to November 22, 2026, across the Giardini and the Arsenale, the exhibition unfolds under the evocative title In Minor Keys. The event celebrates the visionary direction of Koyo Kouoh, the artistic director who tragically passed away in 2025. In an extraordinary feat of dedication, her international curatorial team stepped in to bring her final, groundbreaking project to life exactly as she had imagined it.
A legacy from Dakar to Venice: Koyo Kouoh’s vision
Following the immense loss of Koyo Kouoh, La Biennale di Venezia chose to honor her monumental work by faithfully executing the exhibition plan. In Minor Keys stands as the beautiful result of an ongoing, intimate dialogue between the late curator and her close-knit team: Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Hélène Pereira, Rasha Salti, Siddhartha Mitter, and Rory Tsapayi.
The foundations of this year’s 61st International Art Exhibition were originally laid in Dakar, under the shade of a mango tree. It was there that Koyo Kouoh’s curatorial practice evolved into what her colleagues describe as “music composed with absolute grace.” At the heart of the 2026 edition are deeply human themes: enchantment, fertility, and kinship—inviting the global audience to reconnect with what it truly means to inhabit the world today.
Exploring “In Minor Keys”: The core themes
The exhibition pathway weaves through the contributions of 110 artists, duos, and collectives. Instead of forcing art into rigid thematic sections, the structure of the 61st International Art Exhibition flows seamlessly through “underground priorities” and shared spiritual motifs.
Here are the main anchors of the exhibition to look out for:
- Are (Shrines): A powerful homage to “world-makers” Issa Samb and Beverly Buchanan, celebrating the generative force of art that goes far beyond the physical object.
- The Procession: Inspired by Afro-Atlantic gatherings, this motif transforms visitors from mere onlookers into active participants of a moving, choral choreography.
- Schools: Conceived as living ecosystems for learning and radical regeneration, completely independent of commercial market logic.
- Oases of Rest: Immersive, multi-sensory installations designed as sanctuaries from colonial and environmental disasters, inviting deep, quiet contemplation.
The exhibition design, beautifully masterminded by Wolff Architects, features massive, indigo-colored banners acting as thresholds between spaces, preparing your senses for a highly immersive and almost sacred experience.
National participations and special projects: A connected world
The reach of the 61st International Art Exhibition expands well beyond its main pavilions, boasting 100 national participations scattered between the Giardini, the Arsenale, and Venice’s historic city center. History is also being made with the highly anticipated debuts of Sierra Leone, Somalia, Vietnam, and Qatar, alongside the very first national pavilion of El Salvador.
Over on the mainland at Forte Marghera, art takes on a playful, interactive dimension with the works of Temitayo Ogunbiyi and Uriel Orlow. Meanwhile, the Applied Arts Pavilion at the Arsenale hosts the compelling institutional research of Gala Porras-Kim.
Sustainability and the future: A Carbon Neutral Biennale
Beyond its immense cultural impact, the 61st International Art Exhibition solidifies La Biennale’s pioneering commitment to combating climate change. Having successfully achieved carbon neutrality certification in recent years, the 2026 edition pushes the envelope even further by drastically reducing its environmental footprint. This is being achieved through the exclusive use of renewable energy, widespread material recycling, and actively promoting sustainable visitor mobility.
