The 61st Venice International Art Biennale has opened in Venice, running until November, amid unprecedented turmoil. The main exhibition, "In Minor Keys," was curated by Koyo Kouoh, who died of cancer shortly after presenting her vision featuring 111 artists including Carsten Höller, Alvaro Barrington, and Laurie Anderson. Her death has eliminated the Lifetime Achievement Award this year. Additionally, the Biennale faces a funding crisis as the EU threatens to withdraw its €2 million subsidy over Russia's participation with 38 artists following the invasion of Ukraine. Iran, Nigeria, and Israel are absent from their pavilions, while the US Pavilion, now organized by the American Arts Conservancy under inexperienced leadership, features self-taught artist Alma Allen.
This Biennale matters because it reflects deep geopolitical fractures within the art world, with national pavilions becoming flashpoints for international disputes. The controversy over Russia's inclusion and the EU's potential funding withdrawal could set a precedent for how major art institutions navigate political pressures. The unexpected death of curator Koyo Kouoh and the controversial appointment of a non-specialist to oversee the US Pavilion highlight broader questions about leadership, expertise, and institutional integrity in contemporary art. The event's rocky start underscores how art biennials increasingly mirror global tensions, making this edition a critical test case for the future of international cultural diplomacy.