The article presents a curated guide to 15 must-see events accompanying the 61st Venice Biennale, titled "In Minor Keys" and curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, running from May to November 2026. It highlights key exhibitions beyond the main pavilions, including "Screen Melancholy: Li Yi-Fan" at Palazzo delle Prigioni, "Darkness Visible: The Long Shadow of Dictatorship" at Spazio Punch, "Elegy" by Gabrielle Goliath at Chiesa di Sant'Antonin, and "As Above, So Below" at Ex Church Santi Cosma e Damiano, among others. These events span museums, foundations, and historic palazzi, featuring performances, talks, and curatorial interventions that extend the Biennale's reach across Venice.
This guide matters because it underscores how the Venice Biennale functions as a dispersed cultural ecosystem, where the most compelling artistic exchanges often occur outside the central venues. By spotlighting independent and collateral events, the article reveals the Biennale's role as a platform for critical discourse on themes like digital alienation, state violence, grief, and ecological reflection, enriching the visitor experience and shaping the broader narrative of contemporary art.