Derrick Adams Unveils Koyo Kouoh Portrait in Venice, Iran Withdraws from Biennale
During the 2026 Biennale in Venice, artist Derrick Adams has unveiled a public portrait of curator Koyo Kouoh on a façade close to the Arsenale. The piece, named 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown' (2026), celebrates Kouoh as the first African woman to take on the role of Biennale curator. Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Iran has announced its withdrawal from the 2026 Venice Biennale. The Met Gala 2026 showcased a hand-painted carpet inspired by the gardens of Northern Italian Renaissance. The deadline for the Architecture at Zero 2026 competition, aimed at a cultural facility in Lancaster, California, is set for June 1. Additionally, Pompeii Archaeological Park has utilized AI to recreate a victim from the AD 79 eruption. Other highlights include Bernard Tschumi Architects' helical slides and Lévy Gorvy Dayan's $15 million De Kooning.
Key facts
- Derrick Adams installed a portrait of Koyo Kouoh in Venice during the 2026 Biennale.
- The portrait is titled 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown' (2026).
- Kouoh is the first African woman to curate the Venice Biennale.
- Iran withdrew from the 2026 Venice Biennale.
- The 2026 Met Gala carpet was cream-toned with mossy green accents, inspired by Northern Italian Renaissance gardens.
- Architecture at Zero 2026 competition deadline is June 1; design a facility in Lancaster, California.
- Pompeii Archaeological Park used AI to reconstruct a victim of the AD 79 Vesuvius eruption.
- Lévy Gorvy Dayan is offering a $15 million De Kooning.
Entities
Artists
- Derrick Adams
- Koyo Kouoh
- Lina Lapelytė
- Willem de Kooning
- Bernard Tschumi
- Solange Oliveira Farkas
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Met Gala
- AIA CA
- Architecture at Zero
- Pompeii Archaeological Park
- University of Padua
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Lévy Gorvy Dayan
- Tate Britain
- Art Basel
- Maison Francis Kurkdjian
- Apple
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Iran
- Lancaster
- California
- Pompeii
- Mount Vesuvius
- Switzerland
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Berlin
- Germany