Venice Biennale 2026 — 9 Things to See

Location: Giardini, Arsenale and various venues across Venice

Date: 9 May — 22 November 2026

Project: 61st International Art Exhibition, "In Minor Keys" by Koyo Kouoh

Why it Matters: The first Venice Biennale curated by an African woman, realized posthumously by her team after Kouoh's death in 2025

The 61st Venice Biennale opened under the title "In Minor Keys," the vision of curator Koyo Kouoh, who died in May 2025 before seeing it realized. Her team carried out the exhibition as she conceived it. 110 artists and collectives from across the world, 100 national pavilions, 31 collateral events. The Biennale has already generated its share of controversy: jury resignations, artist withdrawals, protests connected to Palestine and Ukraine. It runs through November 22.

Kennedy Yanko, Disciples of joy in the material world, 2025, Detail, Arsenale, Photo by Luca Zambelli Bais, 61st International Art Exhibition-La Biennale di Venezia, In Minor Keys, Arsenale, Courtesy- La Biennale di Venezia

Florentina Holzinger, Austrian Pavilion

A flooded pavilion with a jet ski circling through the interior, performers suspended from rigging, and Holzinger herself hanging as the clapper of a bell hoisted from the canal by crane on opening night. Part aquatic circus, part body-horror performance. The most talked about pavilion this year.

Lubaina Himid, British Pavilion

Turner Prize winner representing the UK. Her practice explores identity, cultural memory and the politics of belonging through layered narrative environments. After Venice, the commission tours to Coventry, Belfast and Swansea from 2027.

India Pavilion

India's first pavilion in seven years. Sumakshi Singh reconstructed her demolished New Delhi home in embroidered thread, suspended from the ceiling. Asim Waqif built bamboo scaffolding. Ranjani Shettar made a massive floating garland of floral sculptures.

Ei Arakawa-Nash, Japanese Pavilion

208 baby dolls wearing sunglasses and colorful onesies, hanging from ropes and sitting on metal scaffolding. Visitors pick up a doll outside, carry it upstairs, change its diaper, find a QR code inside that leads to a poem. An instant hit.

Gabrielle Goliath, Chiesa di Sant'Antonin

Originally the South Africa pavilion artist, cancelled by the country's culture minister after she refused to remove references to Gaza. Mounted independently in a church away from the Arsenale. A single note sustained over an hour by multiple singers in rotation. Far from the crowds, in a space built for exactly this kind of silence.

Merike Estna, Estonian Pavilion

Set in a school gymnasium. Estna paints throughout the entire run of the Biennale, working on giant canvases she hangs, takes down to the floor, pours, swirls and brushes with colour. Part durational performance, part studio visit.

Matías Duville, Argentine Pavilion

A large-scale installation made from salt and charcoal. Time, nature, cycles of ruin and renewal.

Holy See (Vatican) Pavilion, Church of the Scalzi

A sonic prayer spoken by Patti Smith, with contributions by Brian Eno, FKA Twigs, Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst. Produced by Soundwalk Collective. Set in a monastic garden behind the church. Book ahead.

Anish Kapoor, Palazzo Manfrin

A full retrospective in Cannaregio. One of the most established names showing outside the official Biennale programme.

The 61st Venice Biennale runs through November 22, 2026 at the Giardini, the Arsenale and venues across Venice.

More info: labiennale.org