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Last updated: May 9, 2026
π 2026-05-09 β Opening Week Climax
- 5/8 ANGA 24h strike materialized β first organized strike in Biennale history. 237 signatories, "thousands" on the march, 18β27 pavilions (Korea included) temporarily closed, mounted-police suppression at Fondamenta Arsenale
- 5/9 official opening β Visitors' Lions voting begins, Russian Pavilion closes to general public
- Politics β Giuli + EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef joint boycott, Meloni distances on "institutional autonomy"
- First wave of reviews (8) β e-flux (Eastham), TAN Big Review (Luke β
β
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Β½), Apollo (Judah), Artnet (Davis), Hyperallergic (Vartanian), Frieze (Gluhaich/Lambo), Wallpaper (Abrams)
- π°π· Korean Pavilion picked by 5+ outlets β ARTnews #5, Whitewall #7, TAN #11, Artsy 10 Best, Frieze (Arsenale named with explicit Gwangju 5Β·18 + Jeju 4Β·3 frame β first in Anglo press)
- π 2026-05-07 β Preview week reporting (expand)
π For chronological reporting, see Hot Issues archive.
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π Table of Contents
ππ» Click the triangle on the left to expand!
1. The 61st Venice Biennale: Key Information
- Theme: In Minor Keys
- Artistic Director: Koyo Kouoh (1967β2025)
- Dates: May 9 β November 22, 2026
- Preview: May 6β8
- Venues: Giardini, Arsenale, various locations across Venice
- Exclusive Partner: Bulgari (2026β2030, three editions)
About Koyo Kouoh
"In Minor Keys"
Key Dates
π Press & Resources β For Professionals
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π°
- π° Press & Sources Database β Press releases, reviews & interviews archive
- π Exhibition Database β Full exhibition directory
- ποΈ Press Index (Per-Media Picks) β Curated picks from 13 outlets (Frieze, ArtReview, designboom, Canvas, FAD, Ocula, Berlin Art Link, Artsy, Whitewall, Wallpaper*, Domus, Artlyst, TAN)
- π¨ Press Coverage Archive (Hot Issues x Outlet) β 7-axis chronological tracking (Russia / Israel / USA / Italian politics / Korea / Jury / Funding)
- βοΈ Jury Resignation / Visitors' Lions β 4/30 International Jury en-masse resignation + 5/1 Golden Lion abolition shift
- π La Biennale Official Website
- π Official Announcement β Invited Artists (Feb 25)
- π Official Announcement β National Pavilions & Collateral Events (Mar 4)
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2. How the Biennale Is Structured