The Synthesis of Poetry and Violence: Inside the New Exhibitions at the Pinault Collection in Venice

The Pinault Collection has unveiled its 2025 exhibition program across its two Venice venues, Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana. This year, the institution opts for a multi-artist approach rather than a single-artist takeover, featuring Michael Armitage and Amar Kanwar at Palazzo Grassi, alongside Lorna Simpson and Paulo Nazareth at Punta della Dogana. The exhibitions focus heavily on global perspectives, spanning from Kenya and India to Brazil and the United States, addressing contemporary social tensions through diverse media.

This programming shift marks a departure from the massive, immersive solo shows of previous years, such as Pierre Huyghe’s 2024 exhibition. By highlighting artists like Michael Armitage, who paints on traditional Ugandan bark cloth to challenge Western colonial legacies, and Amar Kanwar, who utilizes poetic film to address structural violence, the Pinault Collection aligns itself with current institutional trends focusing on social justice, identity, and post-colonial narratives. The shows demonstrate a commitment to high-quality, research-driven art that bridges the gap between aesthetic beauty and political urgency.