Biennale de Venise — 2026 — 61e édition — Jardins de la Biennale de Venise — Exhibition — Slash Paris

In 7 months: May 9 → November 22, 2026

On 17 October 2024, Koyo Kouoh wholeheartedly accepted the invitation by the President of La Biennale di Venezia, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, to take on the role of Artistic Director of the Visual Arts Department, with the task of curating the 61st International Art Exhibition.

Between mid-October 2024 and early May 2025, Koyo Kouoh worked intensively to develop the curatorial project, defining its theoretical framework, selecting the artists and the artworks, designating the authors of the catalogue, determining the graphic identity of the Exhibition and the architecture of the exhibition spaces, and establishing a dialogue with the artists invited to participate.

The title and curatorial vision for the 61st Exhibition were announced following the sudden passing of the Curator Koyo Kouoh on 10 May 2025, which was met with profound sorrow across the entire world of art and culture.

In Minor Keys is the title chosen by Koyo Kouoh for the 61st International Art Exhibition, as specified in the curatorial text. At that time, she wrote:

“In October 2024, I was greatly honoured to be appointed curator of the 61st edition of Biennale Arte. It is with pleasure that I share today with you and your team the philosophical framework that will guide my curatorship of the exhibition”.

The 61st Exhibition will be produced by La Biennale di Venezia, with the contribution of the professionals selected and directly involved by Koyo Kouoh. The team consists of the advisors Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Helene Pereira and Rasha Salti; the editor-in-chief Siddhartha Mitter; and the assistant Rory Tsapayi.