The 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2026: Switzerland’s Pavilion Explores “The Unfinished Business of Living Together”

Switzerland at the Venice Biennale 2026: A Bold Artistic Statement on Cohesion and Belonging

Switzerland’s presence at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2026 promises to be both provocative and thought-provoking. For the first time, the Swiss contribution to the world-renowned Biennale was selected through an open call for proposals. This democratic approach yielded 140 submissions, out of which a collective of cultural practitioners—Gianmaria Andreetta, Luca Beeler, Nina Wakeford, Miriam Laura Leonardi, Lithic Alliance, and Yul Tomatala—was chosen to represent Switzerland.

Their project, titled “The Unfinished Business of Living Together”, delves into contemporary social and cultural tensions around identity, tolerance, and communal life. Inspired by a landmark 1978 Swiss television debate on sexual orientation, the Swiss Pavilion will question how societies negotiate belonging, dissent, and evolving social contracts.

With this groundbreaking exhibition, Switzerland embraces the Biennale’s unique platform to engage in pressing societal conversations through art, pushing boundaries in both curation and artistic expression.

Switzerland’s Selection Process: A Milestone in Open Artistic Competition

The 2026 Venice Biennale marks a historic moment for Pro Helvetia, the Swiss cultural foundation responsible for the country’s participation. Traditionally, the Swiss representation was curated through a closed selection process. However, for the first time, the organization opted for an open call, attracting a diverse range of proposals from artists and curators.

After a rigorous review of 140 submissions, an expert jury comprising Federica Chiocchetti, Ann-Kathrin Eickhoff, Vittoria Matarrese, Domagoj Smoljo, and Anahita Vessier ultimately recommended “The Unfinished Business of Living Together.”

Why This Project?

The jury emphasized the importance of risk-taking in contemporary art, applauding the winning proposal’s potential to spark meaningful societal discourse. They acknowledged the project’s strong curatorial and artistic vision, recognizing its ability to engage audiences in a critical examination of identity, inclusion, and the fractures within modern societies.

According to Philippe Bischof, Director of Pro Helvetia:

“One of the greatest strengths of the Venice Biennale is its capacity to foster open discussions on contemporary social issues through artistic expression on an international stage. By using media archives as a starting point, the project team is tapping into the pulse of our times.”

“The Unfinished Business of Living Together”: A Critical Exploration of Community and Identity

At the heart of the Swiss Pavilion lies a question: How do societies navigate the evolving dynamics of living together? The project draws inspiration from the Swiss television program “Telearena”, which, in 1978, hosted a heated debate on sexual orientation and societal acceptance. This historical event serves as a springboard for the Swiss Pavilion’s exploration of tolerance, inclusion, and the nature of collective memory.

Key Themes Explored in the Swiss Pavilion

1. The Fragility of Social Cohesion

The project examines how communities form, disband, and reform over time. What does it mean to belong? How do historical narratives shape contemporary social contracts? The Pavilion invites visitors to reflect on the constant negotiation of communal life, where social divides and alliances shift over generations.

2. The Power and Limitations of Archives

Media archives play a crucial role in shaping collective memory. But do they tell the full story? The project challenges audiences to consider the authority of recorded history—who gets to document societal change, and whose voices are missing?

3. Shifting Perspectives in Public Discourse

Through an interactive and immersive artistic experience, visitors will be encouraged to reassess their own perspectives. Can deeply held beliefs change over time? The project seeks to create an open space for dialogue, where audiences can explore the fluidity of societal norms.

An Internationally Diverse and Interdisciplinary Team

The Swiss Pavilion’s curatorial and artistic team is uniquely positioned to tackle these themes. Composed of artists and curators from different linguistic regions of Switzerland—Swiss-German, French, and Italian—as well as international backgrounds, the collective brings a rich diversity of perspectives:

• Gianmaria Andreetta (Lugano/Berlin) – Curator
• Luca Beeler (Zurich) – Curator
• Nina Wakeford (London) – Artist
• Miriam Laura Leonardi (Zurich) – Artist
• Lithic Alliance (Zurich/Brussels) – Artistic collective
• Yul Tomatala (Geneva) – Artist

This multigenerational, interdisciplinary team aims to create a Pavilion that challenges audiences to question, engage, and participate actively in the discussion of social coexistence.

“We come from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. We represent different generations and hold an open view of the world. Our goal is to create a Pavilion that provokes thought and invites the audience to reflect: When and where is this happening? Do archives hold ultimate authority? Can opinions evolve?” – The Swiss Pavilion Team

The Venice Biennale 2026: A Global Platform for Artistic and Social Dialogue

The 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2026 will run from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Renowned for its ability to merge artistic excellence with pressing global conversations, the Biennale provides a prestigious international platform for Switzerland to engage in critical dialogue.

For this edition, the main exhibition will be curated by Koyo Kouoh, a Swiss-Cameroonian curator known for her innovative and socially engaged approach to contemporary art.

Switzerland’s Legacy at the Biennale

Switzerland has participated in the Venice Art Biennale since 1920 and in the Venice Architecture Biennale since 1991. The Swiss Pavilion, located within the Giardini della Biennale, has been under the responsibility of Pro Helvetia since 2012.

The 2026 edition stands out not only for its open call selection process but also for its commitment to addressing timely and urgent social issues. Switzerland’s participation reaffirms its dedication to artistic experimentation, intellectual inquiry, and global cultural dialogue.

A Pavilion That Challenges and Engages

The Swiss Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2026 is set to be a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexities of communal life. Through its innovative approach, “The Unfinished Business of Living Together” will encourage audiences to question historical narratives, engage in contemporary debates, and reflect on the ever-evolving nature of society.

With a diverse team of curators and artists, Switzerland is not only presenting an exhibition—it is igniting a conversation. The Biennale’s global stage ensures that these discussions resonate far beyond the confines of the Pavilion, contributing to an ongoing international discourse on what it means to live together in today’s world.