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Jordan Roth tears and reassembles Renaissance prints in Venice Biennale performance

other · 2026-05-08

On May 7, Jordan Roth, a multidisciplinary artist, captivated the audience with a powerful performance at the Palazzo dei Fiori during the Venice Biennale. Known for his 'living sculpture' at the Met Gala, Roth took apart vinyl prints of Irene di Spilimbergo, a 16th-century polymath, which were displayed in a specially designed gilt frame. As classical music played, he skillfully transformed these pieces into collages, mesmerizing those in attendance. This event was made possible through a collaboration with Performance Space New York’s Visionaries Circle patrons. Among the notable guests were Scott Rothkopf from the Whitney Museum and London dealer Kristin Hjellegjerde. A project statement highlighted the connection between Roth and the artworks, saying they became one.

Key facts

  • Performance held on 7 May at Palazzo dei Fiori, a Renaissance Venetian palazzo.
  • Jordan Roth is a US multi-disciplinary artist.
  • Roth wore a 'living sculpture' look at the Met Gala earlier that week.
  • The work was presented with Performance Space New York’s Visionaries Circle.
  • Roth tore vinyl prints of Irene di Spilimbergo affixed to a glass pane in a custom gilt frame.
  • He repositioned fragments into collages accompanied by classical music.
  • Attendees included Scott Rothkopf (Whitney Museum director) and Kristin Hjellegjerde (London dealer).
  • Project statement: 'Bound within the frame, Roth and the paintings are fused together, muse and artist becoming one.'

Entities

Artists

  • Jordan Roth
  • Irene di Spilimbergo

Institutions

  • Performance Space New York
  • Whitney Museum of American Art
  • Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy
  • Palazzo dei Fiori
  • New York
  • United States
  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources