Koen Vanmechelen's First Solo Sculptural Exhibition in Venice

Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen presents 'We Thought We Were Alone' at Palazzo Rota Ivancich in Venice, running parallel to the 61st Venice Biennale. The exhibition features 40 newly commissioned works across three floors, merging sculpture, installation, video, and sound. Vanmechelen, known for the Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, explores biocultural diversity, hybridity, and identity. The palazzo's layered architecture mirrors themes of transformation. Works include reinterpretations of classical forms like Medusa and The Three Graces, and sculptures such as 'Will we ever exist' (2026) that blend human and animal elements. A dedicated room highlights the Wild Gene Festival, a collaboration with Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour, presented through video installations. Curated by James Putnam, the exhibition runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with a preview May 6–8. Vanmechelen's practice at LABIOMISTA, a 24-hectare cultural park in Belgium, informs his collaborative ethos.