Venice hosts a major tribute to the late artist Ilya Kabakov through a participatory installation that runs alongside the 61st Venice Biennale, which features a record number of national pavilions and centers on the theme “In Minor Tones.”
Three years after Ilya Kabakov’s passing, the city presents “Venetian Diary,” a project co-conceived with his wife Emilia Kabakov that invites residents to contribute personal objects and written reflections. The installation, hosted at Ca’ Tron in Santa Croce from May 9 to June 28, 2026, transforms the historic palazzo into a narrative space where Venetian residents become co-authors of a collective portrait.
The project unfolds in dialogue with the Biennale’s main exhibition, which explores perception through the metaphor of a musical minor key—not as sorrow, but as a call to attune to subtle, enduring signals in life and nature. Curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, whose vision was realized posthumously with support from her team, the exhibition emphasizes attention, bodily experience, and a return to art’s emotional and sensory roots.
While the main exhibition seeks to reconnect art with its fundamental role in fostering joy and human connection, the national pavilions remain the most politically charged aspect of the Biennale, shaped by global tensions and institutional decisions. In 2026, a record 100 countries participated, reflecting both quantitative growth and a structural shift toward including nations historically excluded from the global art scene.
The Venetian Pavilion at the Giardini hosts part of the tribute as part of the exhibition “Persistent Notes,” curated by Giovanna Zabotti, Denis Isaia, and Cesare Biasini Selvaggi. Organized by BAM with the patronage of Venice’s municipality, the full presentation spans both Ca’ Tron and the Giardini, positioning the city not as a subject but as an active participant in the artwork.
Emilia Kabakov has described the initiative as a continuation of the couple’s long-standing exploration of narrative and collective memory, aiming to create an evolving portrait of Venice shaped by those who live in and care for the city. The project remains open for public contributions through an online form and email submissions, with specific size and value limits on contributed objects.
How does “Venetian Diary” differ from typical Biennale exhibitions?
Unlike conventional displays that present art about a place, “Venetian Diary” is designed as a collaborative perform with the city itself, where residents contribute personal objects and stories to form a collective self-portrait rather than serving as passive subjects of observation.
What is the significance of the 100-nation participation in the 2026 Biennale?
The participation of exactly 100 countries marks the highest national representation in the Biennale’s history, signaling a shift toward greater inclusion of nations that were previously absent from the global contemporary art landscape.