The article presents the 2026 Venice Biennale as a powerful yet fragile realization of the late curator Koyo Kouoh’s vision. Titled In Minor Keys, the exhibition embraces a contemplative, “minor” tone—foregrounding melancholy, resilience, and repair through art. Conceived as a poetic and sensory experience rather than a didactic one, the Biennale brings together a global network of artists and unfolds like a musical composition, with themes such as sanctuary, procession, rest, and collective healing.
However, this edition is deeply marked by Kouoh’s sudden passing and by an unusually tense geopolitical climate. Political conflicts—especially involving Russia, Ukraine, Israel, and Iran—have sparked protests, withdrawals, and debates about national representation, turning the Biennale into a site where art and international politics collide.
Within this context, the article also highlights the participation of Big Chief Demond Melancon, whose intricate ceremonial costume (Africa, 2011) is featured alongside the text. His work, rooted in the traditions of Mardi Gras Indian culture and reflecting intertwined African and Native American histories, visually accompanies the article and reinforces its themes of heritage, memory, and cultural resilience.
Excerpted words written by Emmanuelle Lequeux and Daphné Bétard for Beaux Arts Magazine.
