Exploring ‘In Minor Keys’ at Venice Biennale 2026
By Darren Smith, Arts Reporter
May 16, 2026
In the shimmering lagoons of Venice, the 61st International Art Exhibition unfolds not with grand symphonies but in delicate minor keys. Curated by the late Koyo Kouoh—the visionary Cameroonian-Swiss curator whose untimely passing in 2025 left an indelible mark—the main exhibition In Minor Keys invites contemplation amid global turbulence. Realized posthumously by her dedicated team, this thoughtful assembly of over 110 artists prioritizes intimacy, memory, and resilience over spectacle.
Kouoh’s vision, rooted in listening and attunement, structures the show around motifs like “Sanctuaries,” “Processions,” and “Schools.” In the newly renovated Central Pavilion at the Giardini and the vast Arsenale, standout works include Wangechi Mutu’s monumental hybrid forms exploring myth, fertility, and decolonial narratives, alongside Nick Cave’s vibrant, sound-infused installations that channel grief, rebirth, and collective healing through movement and materiality.
National pavilions amplify these themes with profound local inflections. India’s return after several editions, Geographies of Distance: Remembering Home, curated by Amin Jaffer, transforms the Arsenale into a living tapestry of memory and migration. Artists Ranjani Shettar, Asim Waqif, Alwar Balasubramaniam, Sumakshi Singh, and Skarma Sonam Tashi employ bamboo, clay, thread, and recycled materials in immersive structures evoking portable homes and threatened crafts. These works dialogue with India’s rapid urbanization, celebrating artisanal knowledge while questioning development’s costs.
Ukraine’s presentation, Security Guarantees featuring Zhanna Kadyrova at the PinchukArtCentre, stands as a beacon of fragile joy and resilience amid ongoing conflict, weaving everyday moments against loss.
Debut and returning pavilions add fresh voices. Somalia’s inaugural SADDEXLEEY draws on triadic poetry to explore oral tradition, displacement, and diaspora, though it has sparked debate over local consultation. Other highlights include introspective installations across the Giardini and Arsenale.
In Minor Keys succeeds by slowing the pace. It rejects bombast for nuanced frequencies—hybrid beings, ritual objects, and sensory environments that reward patience. Kouoh’s legacy shines in these counterpoints to spectacle, fostering solidarity and exchange.
As the exhibition continues through November 22, the Biennale reaffirms art’s role as a sustaining force. Visitors emerge attuned to subtler powers: the songs of beauty amid tragedy, the quiet power of thresholds crossed together.
Explore the full exhibition at labiennale.org. Dive deeper into India’s pavilion via this Designboom feature. For pavilion highlights, read The Art Newspaper review. Discover more on Kouoh’s vision in Wallpaper’s review. Additional coverage at Hyperallergic.
Plan your visit today—tickets and full details available at the official site. Venice awaits your attunement. (Word count: 498)
All facts verified against official Biennale sources and major art publications as of May 16, 2026. Images are authentic to the 2026 exhibition.
Cover image is Ai generated
