The legendary performance artist returns to Venice with a groundbreaking exhibition that bridges Renaissance masterpieces and decades of radical contemporary work.
A Landmark Exhibition for Venice
Marina Abramović has opened a historic new exhibition in Venice titled Transforming Energy at the Gallerie dell’Accademia. The show marks the museum’s first major solo exhibition dedicated to a living woman artist, adding another milestone to Abramović’s decades long relationship with the city and the Venice Biennale.
Curated by Shai Baitel, the exhibition places Abramović’s groundbreaking performance pieces alongside Renaissance masterworks, creating a powerful dialogue between historical art and contemporary endurance based practice.
Performance Art Meets Renaissance Legacy
One of the exhibition’s central moments is the presentation of Abramović’s “Pietá (with Ulay)” from 1983 beside a 16th century work by Titian. The pairing explores themes of grief, spirituality, and emotional transcendence across centuries of artistic expression.
The exhibition also revisits several of Abramović’s most influential works, including “Rhythm 0” and the Golden Lion winning “Balkan Baroque,” the unforgettable 1997 performance that cemented her place in contemporary art history.
Alongside these iconic pieces, visitors can experience newly created works developed specifically for the exhibition.
Interactive Installations Invite Reflection
Beyond the performances, Transforming Energy introduces audiences to Abramović’s “Transitory Objects,” an interactive series made from stone and crystal. Guests are encouraged to physically engage with the installations by sitting, standing, or lying on them as part of the artist’s ongoing exploration of energy, meditation, and human connection.
According to museum director Giulio Manieri Elia, the gallery environment itself was redesigned to create a slower, more contemplative atmosphere that pulls visitors away from everyday distractions.
Transforming Energy is now on view at the Gallerie dell’Accademia through October 19.
