Marina Abramović at the Accademia Venice 2026 | Transforming Energy Exhibition
Opening: May 6, 2026
Dates: May 6 – October 19, 2026
Location: Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice
In 2026, Venice witnesses a truly historic moment.
one of the most influential and radical artists of our time, becomes the first living female artist to be celebrated with a major exhibition at the accademia.
The exhibition, titled Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy, opens on May 6, 2026 in conjunction with the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia and marks the artist’s 80th birthday. It will remain open until October 19, 2026.
This is not simply an exhibition. It is a turning point in the dialogue between contemporary art and the Renaissance soul of Venice.
A First in the History of the Accademia
For the first time ever, a contemporary artist’s work will unfold not only in the temporary exhibition spaces, but also inside the permanent collection of the Accademia.
Curated by , Artistic Director , in close collaboration with Abramović herself, Transforming Energy inserts performance, presence, and lived experience into the very heart of Venetian art history.
The result is a powerful encounter between past and present, between the immaterial force of performance and the monumental legacy of Renaissance painting.
Transforming Energy: Body, Spirit, Presence
At the core of the exhibition lies Abramović’s lifelong exploration of the body as both medium and message.
Visitors are invited to experience a series of interactive Transitory Objects: stone beds and sculptural structures embedded with crystals, designed for lying down, sitting, or standing still. Through these actions, the public becomes an active participant, engaging in what Abramović defines as a “transmission of energy.”
This is not passive viewing. It is prolonged observation, heightened awareness, and embodied presence.
Iconic Works and New Creations
The exhibition brings together some of Abramović’s most legendary works, including:
- Rhythm 0 (1974)
- Imponderabilia (1977)
- Light/Dark (1977)
- Balkan Baroque (1997)
- Carrying the Skeleton (2008)
These are presented alongside projections of historic performances and new works created specifically for Venice, reinforcing recurring themes of endurance, vulnerability, pain, purification, and transformation.
A Historic Dialogue with Titian’s Pietà
One of the most emotionally powerful moments of the exhibition is the presentation of Pietà (with Ulay) (1983), placed in direct dialogue with unfinished Pietà (c. 1575–76), completed by Palma il Giovane.
Displayed 450 years after Titian’s final masterpiece, this unprecedented pairing reinterprets Renaissance concepts of suffering, transcendence, and redemption through a contemporary lens.
Across centuries, the human body remains the site of pain—and of spiritual elevation.
Venice, Crystals, and Transformation
A city built on water and trade, Venice has long been a crossroads of precious materials and metaphysical ambition.
Abramović’s use of quartz, amethyst, and natural elements echoes the city’s mosaic tradition and the Renaissance pursuit of transformation—both material and spiritual.
By placing the visitor’s body at the center of the work, Transforming Energy invites a slower, deeper, more conscious way of experiencing art and space.
Marina Abramović and Venice: A Lifelong Bond
“I was 14 when my mother took me to the Venice Biennale for the first time,” Abramović recalls. “When I stepped out of the train station and saw Venice, I started to cry. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.”
From that moment on, Venice became a constant presence in her life. After receiving the Golden Lion in 1997, her relationship with the city deepened even further.
Now, at 80, she returns for the most meaningful chapter yet.
Why This Exhibition Matters
Transforming Energy is not only a celebration of Marina Abramović.
It is a statement about:
- The evolving role of museums
- The legitimacy of performance art within art history
- The power of presence in a distracted world
As Venice once bridged East and West, past and future, this exhibition bridges centuries—asking us not only to look, but to feel.
Visiting the Exhibition
The exhibition is hosted at the Gallerie dell’Accademia, one of Venice’s most important museums, and is easily reachable on foot or by vaporetto.
If you wish to experience the exhibition with deeper context, personalized timing, and seamless logistics, Tour Leader Venice can assist with private museum visits, tailored cultural itineraries, and expert local guidance.
For high-resolution images and official materials, visit the press archive: official image gallery.
pic by ©Clara Melchiorre
FAQs
When does Marina Abramović’s exhibition open in Venice?
The exhibition opens on May 6, 2026 and runs until October 19, 2026.
Why is this exhibition historic?
It is the first time a living female artist has been given a major exhibition integrated into the permanent collection of the Gallerie dell’Accademia.
Is the exhibition connected to the Venice Biennale
Yes. The opening coincides with the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, creating a powerful cultural dialogue across the city.
