In Minor Keys: The Biennale of Stitching and Slowness

The 61st Venice Biennale, curated by Koyo Kouoh, presents "In minor keys," a joyful, anti-white cube exhibition that contrasts with its melancholic title. The show emphasizes craftsmanship, textiles, and stitching, with numerous works using fabric, embroidery, and mending. It argues that contemporary art owes more to anti-modernist aesthetics from the Global South than commonly acknowledged, complementing Adriano Pedrosa's previous focus on Global South modernism. Key works include Kader Attia's piece referencing Picasso's Demoiselles d'Avignon, Alfredo Jaar's jarring minimalist installation, and textile works by Daniel Lind-Ramos, Kaloki Nyamai, and others. Nature is a central theme, with the exhibition resembling an animist temple. The show advocates for slowness, both in creation and viewing, yet critics note a lack of iconic, high-quality peaks. The article also references Barbara Rose's 2018 prediction of "slow art" and Mark Bradford's 2017 US Pavilion presentation as precursors.