Venice Biennale shake‑up
The Biennale’s Central Pavilion has reopened after a major reorganisation, signalling a physical and curatorial reset for Venice’s contemporary program. At the same time Gabrielle Goliath—whose official show was cancelled—will present her performance project 'Elegy' independently in Venice, and Armenia named Zadik Zadikian to represent its pavilion at the 61st Biennale. (parametric-architecture.com)(hyperallergic.com)(asbarez.com)
La Biennale’s overhaul carried a major price tag in press reports — US outlets put the Central Pavilion project at roughly $36 million. (archpaper.com) Italian coverage frames the intervention as a €31 million PNRR-backed program delivered to align with national recovery-plan milestones over 16 months. (parametric-architecture.com) Design and art-direction were led by Rome firm Labics with architect Fabio Fumagalli, while landscape architect Stefano Olivari and La Biennale’s special projects team oversaw implementation. (dezeen.com) The refurbishment reorganised the plan around Sala Chini as a central distribution node, reinstated canal-facing openings, restored Carlo Scarpa window fixtures, and introduced photovoltaic-diffusing skylights and new altane-inspired canopies. (archpaper.com) South African artist Gabrielle Goliath’s Elegy was removed from the official pavilion after Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie described parts of the work as “highly divisive” in internal correspondence. (hyperallergic.com) Goliath and curator Ingrid Masondo lodged an urgent application with the High Court in Pretoria that was dismissed in February; the artist says she will stage Elegy independently in Venice at Chiesa di Sant’Antonin from 5 May to 31 July. (theartnewspaper.com) The Republic of Armenia will present Zadik Zadikian’s solo project “The Studio,” curated by Tony Shafrazi and Tina Chakarian, at the Arsenale Militare during the 61st Biennale running 9 May–22 November 2026. (armenianpavilion2026.org) Armenia’s pavilion will operate as a functioning atelier for the six-month run, with Zadikian working on-site alongside his son Aram and assistants, and Svetlana Sahakyan named as commissioner for the project. (armenianpavilion2026.org)
