Biennale Gherdëina: Curator of the 10th edition announced!

Samuel Leuenberger, curator of Biennale Gherdëina 10. Portrait by Nicolas Gysin.

10th Biennale Gherdëina

May 29 – September 13 2026

Biennale Gherdëina, located in the unique setting of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, is delighted to announce the appointment of Samuel Leuenberger as the Curator of its 10th edition. Through new commissions and an exhibition programme based on environmental projects and public programming, the biennial has organically grown from one edition to the next, gathering the international art world in the locality, whilst maintaining a strong connection to the cultural, historical and linguistic roots of the Alpine region. Following this vision yet tracing new and unprecedented trajectories, Biennale Gherdëina 10 will take place in Ortisei Urtijëi St. Ulrich and the surrounding areas of Val Gardena, Italy, from 29 May to 13 September 2026.

Samuel Leuenberger is the founder and director of SALTS, a non-profit exhibition space in Birsfelden and Bennwil, Switzerland, which aims to promote interdisciplinary exchange and dialogue with emerging artists. He was most recently the curator of Art Basel’s Messeplatz Project and currently works on the third and last installment of the Art in Public Space Project with Globus in collaboration with Fondation Beyeler. From 2016-2023 he was the curator of Art Basel’s Parcours sector. His curatorial vision is rooted in collaboration, with a focus on empathy and accessibility, often working with artists with whom he shares long-standing relations. His curatorial approach also emphasizes slow, thoughtful engagement with art and architecture and how they link to the natural environment, creating accessible yet thought-provoking experiences.

In response to the nomination, Leuenberger states:

“I am deeply honored and thrilled to be appointed as the Curator for the tenth edition of Biennale Gherdëina, set in such a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. The Dolomites offer an inspiring backdrop, rich in natural beauty, artisanal traditions, and timeless mountain tales — an ideal setting for exploring the concept of (Future) Paradise Gardens. These gardens, situated between the raw grandeur of nature and human cultivation, serve not only as sanctuaries for flora and fauna but also as spaces that reflect our aspirations for a future grounded in justice and equality. In this environment, we can envision gardens that nourish both the body and the spirit, spaces of refuge and possibility for all.”

More information on the program will be announced in 2025.