Marina Abramović to Transform Gallerie dell'Accademia with First Solo Show for a Living Artist
Marina Abramović, who was born in Belgrade in 1946, is set to unveil her first significant solo exhibition titled 'Transforming Energy' at the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice on May 6, 2026, continuing until October 19, 2026. This exhibition is notable as it is the first time the gallery has dedicated its space to a living artist, aligning with Abramović's 80th birthday and the 61st Venice Biennale. Curated by Shai Baitel, the showcase includes works such as 'Pietà (with Ulay)' alongside Titian's incomplete 'Pietà', as well as historical pieces like 'Imponderabilia' (1977) and 'Balkan Baroque' (1997). Interactive installations will allow visitors to engage more deeply, with Abramović encouraging them to disconnect from their phones. Following its run in Venice, the exhibition will move to the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome.
Key facts
- Marina Abramović's exhibition 'Transforming Energy' opens May 6, 2026 at Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice
- First solo show dedicated to a living artist at Gallerie dell'Accademia
- Coincides with Abramović's 80th birthday and the 61st Venice Biennale
- Abramović was first woman to receive Golden Lion from Venice Biennale in 1997
- Exhibition occupies permanent collection galleries and temporary spaces
- Dialogue with Renaissance works, including juxtaposition of Abramović's 'Pietà (with Ulay)' (1983) with Titian's 'Pietà'
- Curated by Shai Baitel, artistic director of Modern Art Museum Shanghai
- Precursor exhibition held at MAM Shanghai in 2024-2025
- Includes historical works: 'Imponderabilia' (1977), 'Rhythm 0' (1974), 'Light/Dark' (1977), 'Balkan Baroque' (1997), 'Carrying the Skeleton' (2008)
- New works incorporate Soviet-era reclaimed materials and Berlin Wall photographs
- Interactive elements: visitors lie on crystal-studded beds and stone structures
- After Venice, travels to Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Rome
- Abramović first visited Venice at age 14 with her mother Danica
Entities
Artists
- Marina Abramović
- Ulay
- Titian
- Palma il Giovane
- Mario Merz
- Philip Guston
- Georg Baselitz
- Anish Kapoor
- Willem De Kooning
- Tiziano Vecellio
Institutions
- Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia
- Venice Biennale
- Modern Art Museum Shanghai
- Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
- Museum of the Revolution of Belgrade
- Artribune
- Modern Art Museum of Shanghai
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Belgrade
- Serbia
- Shanghai
- China
- Rome
- Berlin
- Venezia
- Italia
- Belgrado
- Cina