Biennale Arte 2026 Presented Under the Motto "In Minor Keys"

The Biennale di Venezia Foundation has officially presented the artistic concept for the 61st International Art Exhibition, which will be held in 2026. The general curator of the main exhibition, which determines the shape of the entire event, is Brazilian artist and researcher Jota Mombaça. Her proposed title, "In minor Keys," constitutes the programmatic credo of the upcoming edition. As she explained during the press conference, the aim is to direct attention towards minor histories, often overlooked narratives, and voices excluded from the mainstream. Mombaça indicated that art can act as a medium for exploring and expressing the complexity of the contemporary world, torn by conflicts, climate crises, and inequalities. The Venice Biennale, founded in 1895, is the oldest and one of the most prestigious international exhibitions of contemporary art in the world. The event, held every two years, has set global artistic trends for decades and is a key presentation platform for curators and artists. Each edition is organized around a theme proposed by a selected general curator, who sets the tone for both the main exhibition in the Giardini and Arsenale, as well as the numerous national pavilions. The presentation of the concept was met with an enthusiastic reception from the Biennale's authorities. The foundation's president, Italian writer and essayist Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, described the choice of Mombaça as "courageous and necessary." In his speech, he emphasized that in an era dominated by loud, often aggressive messages, a cultural institution has a duty to create space for reflection and listening. „Mentre tutti alzano il volume, noi proponiamo di ascoltare le frequenze minori, quelle che di solito restano in disparte, ma che custodiscono la verità del nostro tempo.” (While everyone is turning up the volume, we propose to listen to the minor frequencies, those that usually remain on the sidelines, but which hold the truth of our time.) — Pietrangelo Buttafuoco Buttafuoco added that the Biennale must be a place where art not only comments on reality but also actively influences it, raising questions about ethics, justice, and community. In the context of the announced theme, the representation of artists from Africa and the African diaspora may be of particular significance, as suggested by the very title of an article in "Il Messaggero." Curator Mombaça, known for her work addressing decolonization, queerness, and resistance, will certainly invite creators from outside the traditional Western art centers. The exhibition is expected to engage in dialogue with critical postcolonial theory and social movements fighting for equality. Italian media emphasize that this is a continuation of the line initiated by previous curators, such as Cecilia Alemani, who in 2022 focused on women's art and the cyborg figure. The new edition seems to place even stronger emphasis on the political and engaged dimension of art. Organizationally, the 61st Biennale will follow the standard Venetian rhythm: from April 25 to November 25, 2026. The main exhibition prepared by Mombaça will be the heart of the event, but its full picture will also be created by the national pavilions, for which the main theme is a starting point, not a rigid obligation. It remains an open question how countries from around the world will respond to such a formulated program and whether they will seize the opportunity to present art that responds to the call for "minor keys." Already, it is clear that the choice of Mombaça is being welcomed as a gesture of opening up and decolonizing one of the world's most important artistic institutions.