5 good reasons to go to Venice

This year more than ever, the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art extends far beyond the Giardini and the Arsenale. Without its curator, this 61st edition, themed " In Minor Keys ," invites us to listen to peripheral narratives and marginalized geographies, while foundations, forgotten palaces, and convents transform Venice into an open-air exhibition. Our selection!

Reason 1: To discover the palazzo in view

Silhouettes by Comme des Garçons 2025, Christian Lacroix 2004 and Kate McCGwire 2008 © Matteo de Mayda

Photo by Steven Shearer © Matteo de Mayda

Barely open, the Fondazione Dries Van Noten has already established itself as one of the most anticipated venues of the Biennale. Housed in the sumptuous Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the Grand Canal, the foundation inaugurates its adventure with " The Only True Protest is Beauty ," an exhibition conceived by the Belgian designer himself. More than 200 works and objects engage in a dialogue across twenty rooms, blending fashion, design, photography, glass, ceramics, and fine crafts. Christian Lacroix rubs shoulders with Ettore Sottsass, Hubert Duprat, and the master glassmakers of Murano, in a journey that celebrates beauty in all its forms. A remarkable opening before the palace's restoration.

“ The Only true protest is beauty ” until October 4, fondazionedriesvannoten.org

Reason 2: To take the pulse of the world

Amar Kanwar presented at the Punta della Dogana © PG

From the Black Atlantic to Indonesia, from Brazil to India, the two Venetian venues of the Pinault Collection this year form a true crossroads of imaginations. At the Punta della Dogana, the Lorna Simpson retrospective unfolds ten years of work that explores African-American identity, memory, and representation, while Brazilian artist Paulo Nazareth presents a body of work nourished by travel, spirituality, and untold stories. At the Palazzo Grassi, the vast canvases of Kenyan painter Michael Armitage engage in a dialogue with the poetic and meditative installations of Indian filmmaker Amar Kanwar. Four artists, four continents, and a shared invitation to see the world differently.

“ Lorna Simpson. Third person ” and “ Paulo Nazareth. Algebra ”, Until November 22.

« Amar Kanwar. Co-travellers " and " Michael Armitage. The Promise of change ", until January 10th.
pinaultcollection.com

Michael Armitage at Palazzo Grassi © Marco Cappelleti Studio

Reason 3: To look America in the face

The Prada Foundation ©Andrea Rossetti

View of the exhibition "Helter Skelter" ©Andrea Rossetti

One of the most unexpected encounters of the season brings together two major figures in contemporary art at the Fondazione Prada: Richard Prince and Arthur Jafa. Curated by Nancy Spector, the two artists juxtapose their worlds, nourished by cinema, music, science fiction, pop culture, and images gleaned from social media. From this visual correspondence emerges an exhibition where videos, photographs, and collages examine American mythologies, whether it be African-American identity in Jafa's work or white masculinity in Prince's.

“ Helter Skelter. Arthur Jafa and Richard Prince ,” until November 23, fondazioneprada.org

Reason 4: To measure the weight of things

Installation by Erwin Wurm at the Museo Fortuny ©Markus Gradwohl

In the halls of the Museo Fortuny, Erwin Wurm orchestrates an encounter as improbable as it is delightful, between the pleats of the Venetian master and his own universe populated by obese cars, leg-shaped bags, and deranged objects. A major figure in contemporary sculpture, the Austrian artist subverts the everyday with irresistible humor, even inviting visitors to become works of art themselves through his famous " One Minute Sculptures ." Behind the burlesque lies a critique of the excesses of our societies, from consumerism to the standards imposed on our bodies.

“ Erwin Wurm. Dreamer ”, until November 22, fortuny.visitmuve.it

Reason 5: To treat yourself to the "must-haves" of the Biennale

Another highlight of this Biennale: the national pavilions. France is showcasing the poetic metamorphoses of Yto Barrada with " Comme Saturne " (Like Saturn). In Cannaregio, the Holy See is transforming a monastic garden into an immersive sound experience conceived by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers with Soundwalk Collective. A contemplative offering among the most unique of this Biennale. With " Los Restos " (The Leftovers), Spain, represented by Oriol Vilanova, covers its walls with thousands of postcards collected over more than twenty years and arranged chromatically. Sunsets, cats, and religious figures compose an archive of the collective imagination. As for Austria, it is creating a buzz with its water park, " Seaworld Venice ," designed by Florentina Holzinger, a major figure in contemporary performance art. A physical and visual experience not to be missed.

Until November 22, labiennale.org