What to Expect from the 61st Venice Biennale: Curatorial Narratives and Institutional Tensions

As in previous editions, the relationship between the central exhibition in the Giardini and Arsenale and the national pavilions will be key. The main show proposes an overarching curatorial framework, while the pavilions operate through distinct national and institutional agendas. The tension between these parallel structures often reveals the most telling aspects of the Biennale.

The concept of In Minor Keys suggests a focus on subtlety, marginality, and quieter forms of resistance. It remains to be seen whether this approach will translate into clear artistic and curatorial strategies, or remain at the level of rhetoric. The effectiveness of the exhibition will depend on how these ideas are articulated across different contexts.

Particular attention will be given to projects that challenge institutional frameworks or expose their internal contradictions. These moments—where curatorial intent meets political and material conditions—frequently define the strongest contributions to the Biennale.

The Polish Pavilion will be considered within this broader context, not as an isolated national presentation, but as part of a wider network of positions shaped across the Giardini and Arsenale.

Editorial text by Ewa Opalka.

This article is part of the author’s upcoming coverage of the 61st Venice Biennale.