ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Vanessa Beecroft's VB94 Performance at Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo

exhibition · 2026-04-27

Vanessa Beecroft staged her performance VB94 at Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo in 2022, a sequel to her 2008 VB62 at Santa Maria dello Spasimo. The work features live models and sculptures in dialogue with the museum's collection, including Francesco Laurana's marble bust of Eleonora d'Aragona and Antonello da Messina's Annunciata. The performance includes ceramic, bronze, and wax heads by Beecroft, and a musical score by Gustave Rudman. It was produced by Vanessa Beecroft Studio (Los Angeles), with participation from Galleria Lia Rumma and support from the Planeta family, in collaboration with the Associazione Amici dei Musei Siciliani and the Sicilian Regional Department of Cultural Heritage.

Key facts

  • Vanessa Beecroft's VB94 performance took place at Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo in 2022.
  • VB94 is a sequel to VB62, performed in 2008 at Santa Maria dello Spasimo in Palermo.
  • The performance includes live models and sculptures interacting with museum pieces.
  • Museum pieces include Francesco Laurana's marble bust of Eleonora d'Aragona and Antonello da Messina's Annunciata.
  • Beecroft created ceramic, bronze, and wax heads for the performance.
  • Gustave Rudman composed a musical score for the event.
  • The project was produced by Vanessa Beecroft Studio (Los Angeles).
  • Support came from Galleria Lia Rumma and the Planeta family.
  • Collaborators include Associazione Amici dei Musei Siciliani and the Sicilian Regional Department of Cultural Heritage.

Entities

Artists

  • Vanessa Beecroft
  • Francesco Laurana
  • Antonello da Messina
  • Gustave Rudman
  • Carlo Scarpa
  • Helga Marsala
  • Giacomo Serpotta

Institutions

  • Vanessa Beecroft Studio
  • Galleria Lia Rumma
  • Associazione Amici dei Musei Siciliani
  • Assessorato regionale dei Beni culturali
  • Palazzo Abatellis
  • Santa Maria dello Spasimo
  • Artribune
  • Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Abatellis
  • Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo
  • GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Palermo

Locations

  • Palermo
  • Italy
  • Los Angeles
  • United States
  • Genoa
  • Sicily

Sources