Venice Biennale 2026: City and Exhibition Merge in 'In Minor Keys'
The 61st Venice Biennale, named 'In Minor Keys', turns Venice itself into an integral part of the exhibition, with artworks extending into the city's public areas. The Arsenale and Giardini feature pavilions that interact with the local environment. Curated by Giovanna Zabotti, the Padiglione Venezia displays 'Note persistenti', showcasing pieces by Alberto Scodro, Dardust, Paolo Fantin, and Ilya and Emilia Kabakov. The Austrian Pavilion presents Florentina Holzinger's 'Seaworld Venice', while Oriol Vilanova's 'Los restos' is featured in the Spanish Pavilion, curated by Carles Guerra. Mark Francis's 'Sea of Sound' is on view in the San Marino Pavilion. Additionally, 'Fuori Biennale' includes Melissa McGill's 'Marea' and JR's trompe-l'œil at Ca' da Mosto. The Biennale will take place in 2026.
Key facts
- 61st Venice Biennale titled 'In Minor Keys' in 2026
- Biennale establishes osmotic link between city and exhibition
- Padiglione Venezia curated by Giovanna Zabotti with 'Note persistenti'
- Alberto Scodro, Dardust, Paolo Fantin, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov in Padiglione Venezia
- Austrian Pavilion: Florentina Holzinger's 'Seaworld Venice'
- Spanish Pavilion curated by Carles Guerra with Oriol Vilanova's 'Los restos'
- San Marino Pavilion hosts Mark Francis's 'Sea of Sound'
- Jenny Saville's 'Byzantium' (2018) at Ca' Pesaro
- Central Pavilion: Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons and Kamaal Malak installation
- Fuori Biennale includes Melissa McGill's 'Marea' at Corte Nova
- JR intervenes on Ca' da Mosto facade
- Canal Grande compared to Portoghesi's Strada Novissima from 1980
Entities
Artists
- Giovanna Zabotti
- Alberto Scodro
- Dardust
- Paolo Fantin
- Ilya Kabakov
- Emilia Kabakov
- Florentina Holzinger
- Oriol Vilanova
- Carles Guerra
- Mark Francis
- Jenny Saville
- Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons
- Kamaal Malak
- Melissa McGill
- JR
- Paolo Portoghesi
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Padiglione Venezia
- Austrian Pavilion
- Spanish Pavilion
- San Marino Pavilion
- Ca' Pesaro
- Central Pavilion
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Canal Grande
- Ca' da Mosto
- Corte Nova
- Castello
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Canal Grande
- Ca' da Mosto
- Corte Nova
- Castello
- Ca' Pesaro
- Lagoon