Marina Abramović has unveiled "Transforming Energy," a landmark exhibition at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice, on view through October 19, 2026. The show marks the museum’s first major solo presentation dedicated to a living woman artist, arriving during the Venice Biennale. It places Abramović’s most significant performance works, including "Pietà (with Ulay)" (1983), in direct dialogue with Renaissance masterpieces such as Titian’s "Pietà," exploring themes of spirituality, grief, endurance, and transcendence. The exhibition is curated by Shai Baitel and features iconic works like "Balkan Baroque" (1997), for which Abramović won the Golden Lion.
The exhibition matters because it reframes performance art within the broader canon of art history, challenging the traditional separation between contemporary and historical art. By installing Abramović’s works alongside centuries-old masterpieces, "Transforming Energy" argues that presence and endurance are enduring artistic materials, not limited to the present. It also underscores Abramović’s profound influence on performance art and her unique relationship with Venice, where she became the first woman to win the Golden Lion in 1997. The show positions the museum as a space for reflection and spiritual transformation, reinforcing Abramović’s legacy as one of the most significant living artists.