The National Gallery of Canada has unveiled the exhibition "Abbas Akhavan: Entre chien et loup" for the Canada Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2026. The site-specific installation reimagines the pavilion's architecture as a Wardian case, a precursor to the terrarium used to transport plants across the British Empire, featuring a custom pool with giant Victoria water lilies. The artist replaced the facade with glass panels, making the plants visible from outside, and the installation is framed by additional sculptural works. The exhibition is curated by Kim Nguyen and accompanied by a fully illustrated publication.
This exhibition matters because it uses the historical context of the Victoria water lilies—named after Queen Victoria and emblematic of the British Empire—to create a meditative space that revisits a pivotal moment in world history. By transforming the Canada Pavilion into a satellite garden for Kew Gardens, Akhavan prompts viewers to reconsider their relationship with natural and built environments, especially in a post-colonial framework. The project also highlights the ongoing relevance of biennials as platforms for critical artistic engagement with global histories and ecological themes.