F rom 9 May to 22 November, the 61st Venice Biennale unfolds under the theme “In Minor Keys,” conceived by the late Koyo Kouoh and realized by her team according to her vision. The minor key in music often draws associations with discordance or melancholy, yet Kouoh’s curatorial approach investigates the richness, plurality and vibrancy found among quiet tones. It promises to be “an exhibition that invites listening to the persistent signals of earth and life, connecting to soul frequencies,” she wrote.

Every two years, as Venice assumes its position at the center of the contemporary art world, Sotheby’s takes up residence in the majestic Gritti Palace for the duration of the vernissage. A Luxury Collection Hotel, this magnificent 15th-century palazzo, restored with original furnishing, art and antiques, is a welcomed base from which we can explore La Serenissima at its most alive. As you plan for your visit, learn more about what to see and do during and alongside the longest-running and most-prestigious showcase of contemporary art in the world.