By Sarah Johnson
Venice is drowning. We know this. Yet we keep dragging ourselves back to the Giardini every two years like we owe the place money. Koyo Kouoh runs the show this time. “In Minor Keys”. That’s the theme. Sounds like a quiet apology before the exhibition even begins.
The original jury quit in April. Just walked out. A complete administrative collapse. So now they are letting tourists pick the winners. The Visitors’ Lions. Literal mob rule in the Arsenale. You have ninety-nine national pavilions desperately trying to grab the attention of people who just want a decent slice of pizza. It is a terrifying way to run an arts festival.
Probably exactly what the art world deserves.