Previews for the 61st Venice Biennale opened Tuesday amid a swirl of controversy. The central exhibition, titled “In Minor Keys,” was conceived by curator Koyo Kouoh, who died of liver cancer in May 2025. Her team of international curators now shepherds the show, trying to preserve her vision while the art world watches the world’s most prestigious fair launch on Saturday.

Tension spikes over Russia’s re‑entry after a three‑year hiatus. The pavilion will present a group show called “The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky,” featuring at least 38 artists and musicians, but it opens only for press previews. European Commission officials warned they would withhold $2.3 million in funding unless the Biennale reversed the decision, while Italian authorities dispatched inspectors to verify compliance with sanctions.

A five‑member prize jury resigned last week after backlash to a proposal to bar artists from nations whose leaders face International Criminal Court charges, a move that would have excluded Israel and Russia. With the jury gone, visitor‑voted popularity awards replace the official prizes. The episode underscores how geopolitical disputes can reshape funding, sponsorship and the commercial calculus for galleries and artists worldwide.