Strange Rules: Protocol Art Group Show Opens at Palazzo Diedo, Venice
The 'Strange Rules' exhibition commenced on May 4, 2026, at Venice's Palazzo Diedo, overseen by curators Mat Dryhurst, Holly Herndon, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Adriana Rispoli. This exhibition explores the influence of rules, encompassing algorithms, AI, and societal standards, on contemporary cultural expression. Notable artists including Joshua Citarella, Harold Cohen, Primavera De Filippi, and Simon Denny with Venkatesh Rao are showcasing their works. Attendees can enjoy the exhibition until November 22, 2026. The venue has undergone renovations by the Berggruen Institute Europe and features contributions from renowned artists like Urs Fischer and Philippe Parreno, along with a planned publication and live performances.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Strange Rules' opened May 4, 2026 at Palazzo Diedo, Venice.
- Curated by Mat Dryhurst, Holly Herndon, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Adriana Rispoli.
- Introduces Protocol Art: art that operates at the level of rules (algorithms, AI, platforms, infrastructure, conventions).
- Artists include Joshua Citarella, Harold Cohen, Primavera De Filippi, Simon Denny, Stephanie Dinkins, Fabien Giraud, He Zike, Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Ho Tzu Nyen, New Models, Ayoung Kim, Agnieszka Kurant, Michael Levin, Trevor Paglen, Philippe Parreno, Lorenzo Senni, Avery Singer, Ken Stanley, sub, terra0.
- Runs through November 22, 2026.
- Palazzo Diedo is part of Berggruen Arts & Culture, established by Nicolas Berggruen and the Berggruen Institute Europe.
- Palazzo designed by Andrea Tirali; restored after serving as school and courthouse.
- 2024 site-specific commissions by Urs Fischer, Piero Golia, Carsten Höller, Ibrahim Mahama, Mariko Mori, Sterling Ruby, Jim Shaw, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Aya Takano, Lee Ufan, Liu Wei.
- New 2026 work by Philippe Parreno created for the exhibition.
- A publication on Protocol Art will be produced during the show.
- Live events include Sougwen Chung, Operator, Dustin Yellin, Hito Steyerl, John Chowning.
Entities
Artists
- Mat Dryhurst
- Holly Herndon
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Adriana Rispoli
- Joshua Citarella
- Harold Cohen
- Primavera De Filippi
- Simon Denny
- Venkatesh Rao
- Stephanie Dinkins
- Fabien Giraud
- He Zike
- Lynn Hershman Leeson
- Ho Tzu Nyen
- New Models
- Ayoung Kim
- Agnieszka Kurant
- Michael Levin
- Trevor Paglen
- Philippe Parreno
- Lorenzo Senni
- Avery Singer
- Ken Stanley
- sub
- terra0
- Urs Fischer
- Piero Golia
- Carsten Höller
- Ibrahim Mahama
- Mariko Mori
- Sterling Ruby
- Jim Shaw
- Hiroshi Sugimoto
- Aya Takano
- Lee Ufan
- Liu Wei
- Sougwen Chung
- Operator
- Dustin Yellin
- Hito Steyerl
- John Chowning
- Nicolas Berggruen
- Andrea Tirali
Institutions
- Palazzo Diedo
- Berggruen Arts & Culture
- Berggruen Institute Europe
- Casa dei Tre Oci
Locations
- Venice
- Italy