Venice Biennale: no Italian artists in the main exhibition; Chiara

Venice Biennale: no Italian artists in the main exhibition

The upcoming Venice Biennale presents an uncommon lineup: among the artists selected for the central exhibition there are no Italians. International projects will occupy the Giardini, the Arsenale and various collateral venues across the city.

The Italian contribution is focused on the Italian Pavilion, where artist Chiara Camoni will present a project curated by Cecilia Canziani. Her proposal engages with ecology, processual practices and co‑creation, linking historical references of Italian sculpture to contemporary approaches.

Curatorial framework and key sections

The main exhibition, titled In Minor Keys, is structured around several thematic sections conceived by Wolff Architects. Highlights include:

• Altars: works that pay tribute to influential artistic figures and practices rooted in community memory.
• Processions: choreographed and ritual-inspired sequences drawing from carnival and Afro‑Atlantic gatherings.
• Schools: transnational learning ecosystems designed for cultural regeneration and exchange.
• Spaces of rest: areas symbolically dedicated to physical and spiritual recuperation within the exhibition.

The curatorial approach emphasizes anti‑monumental forms and community‑based practices, shaping the conceptual and spatial logic of the Biennale.

Practical advice for visitors

Visitors looking for contemporary Italian art should note that the national presence is concentrated in the Pavilion; to encounter Italian artists elsewhere, check collateral exhibitions and independent venues around Venice.

• Consult the Biennale programme for the latest information on venues and opening times.
• Visit the Italian Pavilion to see Chiara Camoni’s project curated by Cecilia Canziani.
• Explore satellite shows and off‑site spaces where national and experimental practices often appear.

This edition prioritizes thematic and international curatorial choices over national representation within the central exhibition. Plan multiple visits and use Biennale maps and materials to navigate the city’s extensive program.