The 2026 Venice Biennale commenced on Wednesday, characterized by a dichotomy between the central exhibition's focus on marginalized narratives and the external political volatility surrounding the return of national pavilions.

2026年威尼斯雙年展於週三開幕，其特點在於主展覽對邊緣化敘事的關注，與國家館回歸所引起的外部政治動盪之間存在對立。

The central exhibition, titled 'In Minor Keys,' was executed by the curatorial team of the late Koyo Kouoh. The thematic framework prioritizes 'lower frequencies' and quiet emotional registers—such as grief and memory—over overt political slogans or spectacle. This is evidenced by the inclusion of Khaled Sabsabi’s explorations of displacement, Kaloki Nyamai’s textile-based inquiries into lineage, Nicholas Hlobo’s sculptural intersections of Xhosa identity and masculinity, and Michael Joo’s analysis of ecological and technological relationships. These works collectively emphasize personal experience over dominant institutional discourses.

主展覽名為「In Minor Keys」，由已故策展人 Koyo Kouoh 的團隊執行。主題框架優先考慮「低頻率」與安靜的情感表達——例如悲傷與記憶——而非顯眼的政治口號或視覺奇觀。這體現於 Khaled Sabsabi 對流離失所的探索、Kaloki Nyamai 以紡織品對血脈的探究、Nicholas Hlobo 將 Xhosa 身份與男性氣質結合的雕塑，以及 Michael Joo 對生態與技術關係的分析。這些作品共同強調個人經驗，而非主流的體制論述。

Conversely, the national pavilions have become sites of diplomatic and social contention. The reintegration of Russia and Israel into the Biennale has precipitated significant instability. The Russian pavilion's return, for the first time since 2022, prompted coordinated demonstrations by the feminist collective Femen and the group Pussy Riot. These activists characterized the presence of Russian state-affiliated art as an extension of military aggression. Consequently, the Russian pavilion will not be accessible to the general public; instead, recorded performances will be projected externally. The Israeli pavilion also faced protests from pro-Palestinian demonstrators citing concerns over 'artwashing.'

相反地，國家館已成為外交與社會爭議的焦點。俄羅斯與以色列重新加入雙年展，導致了顯著的不穩定。俄羅斯館自 2022 年以來首次回歸，引發了女性主義集體 Femen 與 Pussy Riot 組織的協調示威。這些行動主義者將俄羅斯官方背景藝術的出現定義為軍事侵略的延伸。因此，俄羅斯館將不对公眾開放；取而代之的是在外部投影記錄的表演。以色列館也面臨支持巴勒斯坦示威者的抗議，理由是擔心出現「藝術洗白」現象。

Institutional repercussions have been substantial. The European Commission indicated an intention to suspend or terminate a two-million-euro grant, asserting that taxpayer-funded events must uphold democratic values. Furthermore, the entire five-member international jury resigned in April, citing a refusal to grant awards to nations whose leadership is subject to International Criminal Court investigations. This administrative collapse necessitated the postponement of the Golden Lion awards until November 22, with the selection process shifted to a visitor-based voting system. While Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended the principle of inclusion to maintain the institution's role as a global forum, the Italian Ministry of Culture expressed formal opposition to Russia's inclusion.

體制上的影響相當嚴重。歐盟委員會表示打算暫停或終止一筆兩百萬歐元的資助，聲稱由納稅人出資的活動必須維護民主價值。此外，全部五名國際評委於四月辭職，理由是拒絕將獎項頒給領導層正接受國際刑事法院調查的國家。這次行政崩潰導致金獅獎被迫延期至 11 月 22 日，且篩選過程轉為訪客投票制度。雖然雙年展主席 Pietrangelo Buttafuoco 為維持機構作為全球論壇的角色而捍衛包容原則，但義大利文化部對俄羅斯的加入表達了正式反對。

The 2026 Biennale remains operational until November 22, though it continues to function as a focal point for international diplomatic disputes and institutional restructuring.

2026年雙年展將持續營運至 11 月 22 日，儘管它仍將作為國際外交爭議與體制重組的焦點。