Marina Abramović to Make History at VeniceS Galleria dell’Accademia in 2026
Marina Abramović, a groundbreaking performance artist, is set to become the first woman to have a major solo exhibition at the prestigious Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice. This historic event, timed to coincide with the 61st Venice Biennale adn celebrate Abramović’s 80th birthday, will run from May 6 to October 19, 2026.
For decades, Abramović has consistently challenged and redefined the boundaries of art. Her work initially focused on pushing the limits of physical and mental endurance, transforming personal trauma into powerful artistic expression. Subsequently, she shifted towards more spiritual and energetic practices, aiming for collective healing and reconnection.
A Dialog Between Past and Present
“Marina abramović: Transforming energy” promises a compelling conversation between Abramović’s pioneering performance art and the Renaissance masterpieces that define Venice’s cultural heritage. The exhibition, curated by Shai Baitel, artistic director of the Modern Art Museum (MAM) Shanghai, will uniquely utilize both the museum’s permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibition spaces.
This innovative approach embeds Abramović’s work within the very fabric of Venice’s artistic legacy. You can expect a profound exploration of themes like endurance, presence, and transformation, resonating across centuries of visual language.
Iconic Works and Unprecedented Pairings
The exhibition will feature several of Abramović’s most iconic performances, including:
* Imponderabilia (1977)
* Rhythm 0 (1974)
* Light/Dark (1977)
* Balkan Baroque (1997)
* Carrying the Skeleton (2008)
Furthermore, projections of her early performances will offer a comprehensive view of her artistic evolution. A central highlight will be the pairing of Abramović and Ulay’s Pietà (1983) with Titian’s unfinished Pietà (c. 1575-76).
This unprecedented juxtaposition reframes Renaissance themes of grief, transcendence, and redemption through a contemporary lens. It also underscores the enduring role of the body as a site of both suffering and spiritual elevation.
Abramović’s enduring Legacy
Abramović’s work consistently turns the body – both her own and that of her audience – into a space for vulnerability, transformation, and shared experience. She has become a contemporary art icon and, for many, a kind of shamanic healer for our times.
“Transforming Energy” isn’t just an exhibition; it’s an encounter. It’s a meeting between past and present, the material and immaterial, and the physical and spiritual. Ultimately, it reveals how Abramović’s lifelong exploration deeply resonates within Venice’s rich artistic history, offering you a unique and thought-provoking experience.