The 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, In Minor Keys by Koyo Kouoh will feature 111 invited participants—among them, individual artists, collaborative duos, collectives, and artist-led organisations—from many different geographies and regions. Civitella congratulates Theo Eshetu (CRF 2002), Pauline Oliveros (CRF 2015), Kambui Olujimi (CRF 2015), Uriel Orlow (CRF 2016), and Berni Searle (CRF 2001) on their inclusion! Exhibitions take place at the Giardini, the Arsenale and in various locations around Venice, Italy from May 9th to November 22nd, 2026.
The President of La Biennale di Venezia Pietrangelo Buttafuoco commented on Koyo Kouoh’s curatorial approach:
It is an exhibition permeated with spirit, with a sacredness that puts the person, the human being, back at the heart of things, rediscovering the sense of being in the world by reacquiring a sense of proportion with respect to all earthly elements, and by looking to the sky once more. Koyo Kouoh’s journey is one that reappraises human relationships, starting from people’s own backyards. The little things, which are also great ones. The human dimension, the benchmark of everything, which a part of the world, yet one the most opulent and overdeveloped world – identified in the name ‘West’ – has long since lost sight of, misplaced. Thus, from the powerhouse of Africa, and from one of its leading voices, comes a whisper that leads us back to authenticity, acknowledging that the greatest happiness lies in the use of our own hands – a revelation that brings us back to the Earth, to our bodies and our senses. To a humility towards what is greater than us and what cannot be explained but merely intuited”.
This year’s artists were selected by Koyo with particular attention to resonances, affinity, and and possible convergences between practices, even when far apart. Koyo saw several conceptual motifs guiding the exhibition, which were determined through sifting from this reservoir of art: literary references, shrines, procession, schools, rest, and performances. They converge to form the In Minor Keys concept, developed by Kouoh before her passing in 2025, a “minor” approach—underscored by whispers, poetry, and quiet, sustained observation rather than “orchestral bombast” or, as she described it, “goose-step military marches”.
Learn more and plan your visit at labiennale.org.