Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy

“Marina Abramović: Transforming Energy” marks the artist’s 80th birthday and establishes a dialogue between her performance art and the Renaissance masterpieces of the collection. Curated by Shai Baitel, the display occupies both the permanent collection rooms and temporary exhibition spaces.

At the core of the project is the encounter between the material and the immaterial. Visitors are invited to interact with a series of “Transitory Objects” — stone structures embedded with crystals — to activate what the artist terms a “transmission of energy”. Iconic works such as “Imponderabilia” (1977), “Rhythm 0” (1974), and “Balkan Baroque” (1997) are presented alongside projections of historical performances and new creations focusing on endurance and transformation. A significant highlight is the presentation of “Pietà (with Ulay)” (1983) in direct dialogue with Titian’s “Pietà” (ca. 1575-76). This juxtaposition explores themes of suffering and transcendence through a contemporary lens.

The exhibition also references Venetian history through the use of quartz and amethyst, echoing the tradition of mosaics. By placing the visitor’s body at the centre of the work, the exhibition encourages active presence and the possibility of inner change.