Koyo Kouoh's In Minor Keys draws critical review at Venice Biennale
Updated
Updated · ArtReview · May 8
Koyo Kouoh's In Minor Keys draws critical review at Venice Biennale
8 articles · Updated · ArtReview · May 8
The review says the 61st Biennale's main Arsenale exhibition is visually seductive but increasingly lifeless, despite works by Éric Baudelaire, Sohrab Hura, Rose Salane and Alfredo Jaar.
It argues Kouoh's posthumous show turns mourning, colonial history and slavery into diplomatic protest with fine-print slogans, while tributes, flowers and memorial works offer contemplation rather than concrete political demands.
Protests outside the Israeli and Russian pavilions during the vernissage sharpened the critique, with the piece suggesting the exhibition ultimately mourns the biennale model itself amid Gaza and Ukraine.
Can an exhibition on historical mourning heal when protests over current wars erupt at its doors?
With its jury resigning and protests raging, is the Venice Biennale mourning its own irrelevance?
Has political turmoil at the Venice Biennale betrayed its late curator's vision of healing?
The 61st Venice Art Biennale 2026: Political Upheaval, Koyo Kouoh’s Legacy, and the Global Shift Toward African-Centered Art
Overview
The 61st Venice Art Biennale opened in May 2026 amid intense political tensions, with demonstrations and protests overshadowing the art. A major controversy erupted when the five-person jury, led by Solange Farkas, unexpectedly resigned, leading to the postponement of the prize-giving ceremony. As a result, the prestigious Golden Lion awards for best artist and national pavilion will now be decided by a popular vote, with eligible visitors casting anonymous ballots via email. The winners will be announced on the Biennale’s closing day, marking a dramatic shift in how the event’s top honors are awarded.