Venice to Host Historic Marina Abramovic Exhibition at Gallerie dell'Accademia
In 2026, the city's iconic art institution will be graced by a groundbreaking show, "Marina Abramovic: Transforming Energy," marking the artist's milestone 80th birthday. For the first time in history, Abramovic will receive a solo major exhibition at Gallerie dell'Accademia, with an unprecedented pairing of her pioneering performance work with Renaissance masterpieces.
The centerpiece of the show will be a historic encounter between Abramovic's "Pietà" (1983) and Titian's unfinished final version of the same painting. This striking juxtaposition reframes traditional themes of grief, transcendence, and redemption through an entirely new lens, highlighting the body as both site of suffering and spiritual elevation.
Curated by Shai Baitel in collaboration with Abramovic, "Transforming Energy" will take visitors on a journey across two centuries, bridging material and immaterial realms. The exhibition will unfold in the museum's permanent collection galleries and temporary spaces, embedding Abramovic's work deep within Venice's artistic heritage for the first time.
Throughout the show, viewers will witness iconic works such as "Imponderabilia," "Rhythm 0," "Light/Dark," "Balkan Baroque," and "Carrying the Skeleton." The artist's ongoing exploration of endurance, presence, and transformation will be brought into stark relief, resonating deeply within Venice's centuries-old visual language.
The opening date for "Marina Abramovic: Transforming Energy" has been set for May 6, 2026, amidst the bustling activity of the 61st Venice Biennale. This milestone exhibition promises to leave an indelible mark on the city's artistic landscape and cement Abramovic's place in contemporary art history.
In 2026, the city's iconic art institution will be graced by a groundbreaking show, "Marina Abramovic: Transforming Energy," marking the artist's milestone 80th birthday. For the first time in history, Abramovic will receive a solo major exhibition at Gallerie dell'Accademia, with an unprecedented pairing of her pioneering performance work with Renaissance masterpieces.
The centerpiece of the show will be a historic encounter between Abramovic's "Pietà" (1983) and Titian's unfinished final version of the same painting. This striking juxtaposition reframes traditional themes of grief, transcendence, and redemption through an entirely new lens, highlighting the body as both site of suffering and spiritual elevation.
Curated by Shai Baitel in collaboration with Abramovic, "Transforming Energy" will take visitors on a journey across two centuries, bridging material and immaterial realms. The exhibition will unfold in the museum's permanent collection galleries and temporary spaces, embedding Abramovic's work deep within Venice's artistic heritage for the first time.
Throughout the show, viewers will witness iconic works such as "Imponderabilia," "Rhythm 0," "Light/Dark," "Balkan Baroque," and "Carrying the Skeleton." The artist's ongoing exploration of endurance, presence, and transformation will be brought into stark relief, resonating deeply within Venice's centuries-old visual language.
The opening date for "Marina Abramovic: Transforming Energy" has been set for May 6, 2026, amidst the bustling activity of the 61st Venice Biennale. This milestone exhibition promises to leave an indelible mark on the city's artistic landscape and cement Abramovic's place in contemporary art history.