Oriol Vilanova's postcard-filled Spanish Pavilion at 2026 Venice Biennale
At the 61st Venice Biennale in 2026, the Spanish Pavilion will present 'Los restos – I resti', a project by Oriol Vilanova, curated by Carles Guerra. This marks the first inclusion of an artist born post-1975. Vilanova, a 1980-born Catalan architect based in Brussels, curates vintage postcards as a 'museum of copies' that reflect the saturation of digital imagery. The exhibition will feature postcards spanning from the late 19th century to today, weaving a dynamic narrative. An impromptu outdoor performance titled 'Il fantasma della libertà' is planned. The collection's catalogue, crafted by Zak Kyes, encapsulates the exhibit. Guerra notes Vilanova’s principles resonate with the Biennale's 'In Minor Keys' theme. His earlier works include 'Ellos no pueden morir' (2011) and 'Adiós' (2012-14).
Key facts
- Oriol Vilanova represents Spain at the 61st Venice Biennale (2026) with project 'Los restos – I resti'
- Curated by Carles Guerra, it is the first Spanish Pavilion to feature an artist born after 1975
- Vilanova collects vintage postcards from flea markets, especially Brussels' Jeu de Balle
- The pavilion's six rooms will have walls covered with vertically hung postcards from late 1800s to present
- A discreet outdoor performance 'Il fantasma della libertà' will occur unannounced throughout the Biennale
- The catalogue designed by Zak Kyes condenses the collection
- Vilanova's practice includes performance, writing, and theatre; his play 'Ellos no pueden morir' features Dalí, Disney, and Lenin
- The Biennale theme is 'In Minor Keys' by late curator Koyo Kouoh
Entities
Artists
- Oriol Vilanova
- Carles Guerra
- Koyo Kouoh
- Zak Kyes
- Salvador Dalí
- Walt Disney
- Vladimir Lenin
- Luis Buñuel
- Eduardo Chillida
- Antoni Tàpies
- Miquel Barceló
- Santiago Sierra
- Ignasi Aballì
- Sandra Gamarra
Institutions
- Spanish Pavilion
- Venice Biennale
- La Virreina
- MACBA
- Museo Tàpies
- Louvre
Locations
- Manresa
- Barcelona
- Brussels
- Venice
- Spain
- Italy
- Belgium
- Jeu de Balle
- Sant Antoni market