Jenna Sutela's Aeolian Suite for Finland at 2026 Venice Biennale

Jenna Sutela will represent Finland at the 61st Venice Biennale with her exhibition "Aeolian Suite" in the Alvar and Aino Aalto-designed pavilion in the Giardini. The sound sculptures incorporate meteorological data, wind machines, recorders, a children's woodwind orchestra, and recordings of winds from Venice, Helsinki, and beyond. Sutela explores noise as a position between contingency and control, and the work addresses climate crisis through weather as infrastructure and politics. The title references the natural minor scale (aeolian mode) and aligns with curator Koyo Kouoh's theme "In Minor Keys." Sutela cites Pauline Oliveros's deep listening as an influence. The pavilion is commissioned by Frame Contemporary Art Finland, selected through an open call. Sutela views the national pavilion structure critically, noting that countries breaching international law use it for soft power. The Biennale runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026.