Biennale Gherdëina, located in the unique setting of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, has announced 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 29th May to 13th 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.
The appointment is the result of a careful selection made by the Board members of the association Zënza Sëida, which organizes, supports and promotes the Biennale. Eduard Demetz, President of the Board, reflects:
With Samuel Leuenberger, we have gained a curator who will approach the Biennale Gherdëina with great sensitivity, taking it forward from where it stands today and leading it into the future with foresight and creativity. I am delighted to entrust the artistic direction to such an experienced and internationally well-connected curator. He is warmly welcomed!
The next edition will mark the 10th anniversary of Biennale Gherdëina, an art event which has been commissioning and producing contemporary works of art for the past 16 years in the Alpine landscape of Ortisei and the surrounding area. Founded by local gallerist and entrepreneur Doris Ghetta in 2008 in the Dolomites of Val Gardena, the biennial was born as a collateral event of Manifesta 7, which took place in South Tyrol and Trentino in 2008 and was curated by Adam Budak, Anselm Franke/Hila Peleg and Raqs Media Collective. While the first editions focused on fostering the exchange between innovation and the renowned tradition of wood sculpture from Val Gardena, the Biennale has rapidly become a place where site-specific works, often produced locally, have drawn international artists to connect to the Alpine roots
by implementing these traditions. Today, Biennale Gherdëina relies on the support of all previous artistic directors and the artists from around the world who participated in the event, in close collaboration with the local artistic community and craftsmanship. Previous curators of Biennale Gherdëina included Günther Oberhollenzer, Luca Beatrice, Adam Budak (trilogy), Lucia Pietroiusti and Filipa Ramos, Lorenzo Giusti.
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 programme will be announced in 2025.
Samuel Leuenberger has contributed widely to international exhibitions and programs including at Globus|Fondation Beyeler, Basel (2022-2025), Parcours, Art Basel (2016-2023), Centro Parraga, Murcia (2022), Misk Art Institute, Riyadh (2022), Centre Pasquart (2018), Bienne, Salon Suisse–Pro Helvetia, Venice (2017); Les Urbaines, Lausanne (2015); and 14 Rooms, Basel (2014). Previous roles include at Kunsthalle Zurich, Christie’s Auctioneers in Zurich and Stephen Friedman Gallery in London. He was a committee member of Kunstkredit Basel (the nation’s oldest City Arts Council) from 2015-2020. He is currently director of SALTS, a non-profit exhibition space in Birsfelden and Bennwil, Switzerland, and a mentor at Institute Kunst Gender Nature (HGK) in Basel. Leuenberger has recently been appointed new curator for Plataforma’s 2026-2027 exhibition cycle, a new platform that engages in an in- depth dialogue between artists from the greater region of Guadalajara, Mexico, and international artists.
