Armenia names its artist
Armenia tapped Zadik Zadikian to represent the country at the 61st Venice Biennale with a solo project titled *The Studio*, joining a packed roster of national pavilions this spring. The appointment signals Armenia’s investment in a single-voice, in-depth presentation rather than multiple artists. (asbarez.com)
The Armenian Pavilion will run from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with preview days on May 6–8 and the presentation installed at the Arsenale Militare in Venice. (armenianpavilion2026.org (armenianpavilion2026.org)) (armenianpavilion2026.org) Curators for the national presentation are Tony Shafrazi and Tina Chakarian, and the pavilion’s official commissioner is Svetlana Sahakyan. (armenianpavilion2026.org (armenianpavilion2026.org)) (armenianpavilion2026.org) Organizers say the pavilion will operate as a functioning atelier across the Biennale’s six-month run, with Zadik Zadikian working in the space alongside his son Aram and a team of assistants. (armenianpavilion2026.org (armenianpavilion2026.org)) (armenianpavilion2026.org) The selection came out of a national competition, and some Armenian outlets have described parts of Zadikian’s proposal under the alternate title “Ode to Lord Byron,” according to Public Radio of Armenia and The Armenian Report. (armradio.am (en.armradio.am)) (en.armradio.am) Zadik Zadikian is a veteran artist whose biography notes early training in Yerevan, a migration to the United States in the 1970s, past shows at MoMA PS1 and other institutions, and recent return exhibitions in Yerevan’s Cafesjian Center for the Arts. (zadikzadikian.com (zadikzadikian.com)) (zadikzadikian.com) The pavilion’s production and support list includes Fallen Angels as a lead backer and the pavilion’s press office lists a dedicated press contact on the official site for media inquiries. (fallenangelsproject.org (fallenangelsproject.org)) (fallenangelsproject.org)
