The Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition has announced the lineup for its upcoming show titled “In Minor Keys,” curated posthumously by the late Cameroonian curator Koyo Kouoh. The exhibition will feature 111 artists, duos, and collectives from around the world. The event is scheduled to open on May 9 and will showcase works by artists from countries such as the United States, Palestine, Australia, Peru, South Africa, and Zambia.
One of the highlighted artists is Lebanese-born Khaled Sabsabi, who gained global attention last year when his selection as Australia’s official pavilion artist was initially revoked but later reinstated after scrutiny of his artwork. Other notable participants include Wangechi Mutu from Kenya, Cauleen Smith from the United States, Carolina Caycedo from Colombia-British, Kader Attia from Algerian-French, Mohammed Joha from Palestine, Celia Vásquez Yui from Shipibo-Conibo Peruvian, and Guadalupe Maravilla from El Salvador.
Koyo Kouoh, who passed away last year at the age of 57, was set to be the first African woman to serve as the artistic director of the Venice Biennale. Despite her untimely death, the exhibition will continue with the guidance of a team she selected, comprising of Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, Marie Hélène Pereira, Rasha Salti, Siddhartha Mitter, and Rory Tsapayi.
The theme of the exhibition, “In Minor Keys,” explores the quiet tones, lower frequencies, and consolations of poetry as portals of improvisation to new possibilities. The exhibition aims to highlight the importance of artists as interpreters of social and psychic conditions and catalysts of new relationships.
The list of participating artists is extensive and includes a diverse range of talents from different backgrounds and regions. From Laurie Anderson and Marcel Duchamp to younger emerging artists like Amina Saoudi Aït Khay and Temitayo Ogunbiyi, the exhibition promises to offer a rich tapestry of artistic expressions.
The 61st edition of the Biennale Arte is set to be a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the power of art to inspire change and connection. Through the vision of Koyo Kouoh and the selected artists, “In Minor Keys” is poised to be a thought-provoking and immersive experience for art lovers and enthusiasts alike.
