61st Venice Biennale Opens Amid Turmoil and Activist Protests
The 61st Venice Biennale, themed 'In Minor Keys' and curated posthumously by Koyo Kouoh, commenced amidst chaos following Kouoh's battle with cancer, which ended a year ago. This exhibition showcases 110 artists, predominantly from non-hegemonic backgrounds, creating a somber ambiance. Curatorial insights were eclipsed by protests against war policies and notable resignations, including that of the awards jury led by Solange Farkas. Demonstrations focused on the Israeli and Russian pavilions, while Kazakhstan withdrew Asel Kadyrhanova's installation just hours before the event. Gabrielle Goliath's video piece 'Elegy' was displayed after her pavilion was canceled. A historic strike by cultural workers took place on the final preview day. The Biennale is set to continue until November, grappling with questions of sustainability.
Key facts
- 61st Venice Biennale titled 'In Minor Keys' curated by Koyo Kouoh
- Kouoh died of cancer a year before opening
- 110 artists featured, mostly non-hegemonic
- Awards jury resigned before opening over Israel/Russia nominations
- Protests against Israeli and Russian pavilions
- Iran withdrew from the Biennale
- Kazakhstan removed Asel Kadyrhanova's installation 'Machine'
- Gabrielle Goliath presented 'Elegy' after South African pavilion cancellation
- Historic strike by cultural workers on last preview day
- Björk performed as DJ at VIP soirée
Entities
Artists
- Koyo Kouoh
- Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo
- Marie Hélène Pereira
- Rasha Salti
- Siddhartha Mitter
- Rory Tsapayi
- Célia Vasquez Yui
- Carsten Höller
- Dan Lie
- Ayrson Heráclito
- Eustáquio Neves
- Asel Kadyrhanova
- Gabrielle Goliath
- Björk
- Solange Farkas
- Zoe Butt
- Elvira Dyangani Ose
- Marta Kuzma
- Giovanna Zapperi
- Ipeleng Christine Moholane
- Hiba Abu Nada
- Anish Kapoor
- Khaled Sabsabi
- Cauleen Smith
- Theo Eshetu
- Kader Attia
- Alfredo Jaar
- Daniel Lind-Ramos
- Nicholas Hlobo
- Guadalupe Maravilla
- Akinbode Akinbiyi
- Carrie Schneider
- Walid Raad
- Annalee Davis
- Michael Joo
- Uriel Orlow
- Dawn Dedeaux
- Éric Baudelaire
- Chris Marker
- Luigi Pirandello
- Ally Aglaia
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- London Arts Centre Ibraaz
- Chiesa di Sant'Antonin
- South African Ministry of Culture
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- ATP DIARY
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- South Africa
- Israel
- Russia
- Iran
- Ukraine
- Gaza
- Khan Younis
- Mongolia
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- Palazzo Manfrin
- Campo San Giovanni e Paolo
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Berlin
- Germany
- Bamako
- Mali
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Barbados
- Ithaca
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- New Orleans
- Salt Lake
- Aalsmeer
- Netherlands
- Himalaya
- Nigeria
- Venezuela
- Congo
- Lebanon
- Chile