Ding Yi's Solo Debut in Venice Traces Abstraction's Spiritual Dimensions

Ding Yi, a Chinese artist who made his debut at the Venice Biennale in 1993, is showcasing his solo exhibition titled 'Cosmotechnics' at Fondazione Querini Stampalia from May 9 to November 22, 2026. Curated by Alfredo Cramerotti, the exhibition draws its name from philosopher Yuk Hui's idea of cosmotechnics, which Ding Yi learned about through Alexandra Munroe. It features new monochrome paintings and stone steles that interact with Carlo Scarpa's modernist designs. Influenced by the Biennale's theme 'In Minor Keys,' Ding Yi has transitioned from vibrant colors to black-and-white. His ongoing 'Appearance of Crosses' series, initiated in 1988, includes carved steles that delve into the balance of meaning and emptiness. The exhibition also reflects on the evolution of Chinese contemporary art since Ding Yi's selection by Achille Bonito Oliva for the 45th Venice Biennale, alongside his explorations of Naxi cosmology and Tibetan culture. Works inspired by Naxi funerary scrolls, constellation systems, and the Hengduan Mountains are also included.