The Danish Arts Foundation has opened 'Things To Come', an exhibition by Danish artist Maja Malou Lyse at the Danish Pavilion in the Giardini, Venice, as part of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. Curated by Chus Martínez, the show runs until November 22, 2026, and features a film developed with the collective DIS, shot in a real sperm bank and special effects studio, alongside an installation titled 'Stars in My Pocket' that incorporates cryogenic fertility bank boxes and online 'sperm races' clips. The exhibition title references H.G. Wells' 'The Shape of Things to Come' and draws on scientific studies linking virtual sexual stimuli to increased sperm motility.
This exhibition matters because it directly engages with the global decline in male fertility, positioning image consumption as a biological force rather than merely a cultural one. By exploring the paradoxical role of contemporary media as both toxin and antidote, Lyse's work bridges art, science, and social discourse at one of the world's most prestigious art events. The show challenges visitors to reconsider how visual culture impacts human reproduction, making it a timely and provocative contribution to the Venice Biennale's broader conversations about the body, technology, and the environment.