Critique of 'In Minor Keys' as the Last Episode of 'Human' Contemporary Art

A review of the 61st Venice Biennale, titled 'In Minor Keys' curated by Koyo Kouoh, argues that the exhibition represents the culmination of a curatorial trend emphasizing 'minor' practices, spirituality, and humanism, but lacks the critical edge of earlier biennials. The author notes the absence of technology, prevalence of poor materials like ceramics, textiles, and wood, and a shift towards a fair-like atmosphere at the Arsenale with smaller, saleable works. While some see the Biennale as giving voice to Africa and its diasporas, others view it as art-washing that romanticizes diversity and reinforces exclusivity. The text questions whether 'In Minor Keys' is the final episode of a fictional narrative where precarity becomes the norm.