Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026
Hey travelers, mark your calendars because Venice is once again taking center stage in the global art scene: the Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 promises an immersive, poetic, and truly unconventional experience. The 61st International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale will take place from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with preview days from May 6 to 8.
From May 9 to November 22, 2026, the lagoon city will host the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, and one of the most anticipated highlights is the Italian Pavilion, set within the iconic Arsenale, the beating heart of the event. This edition of the Italian Pavilion is the first to be led by an all-female team, and the exhibition is thoughtfully curated to showcase a unique artistic vision. ZEGNA is the main sponsor of the Italian Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, supporting the exhibition 'Con te con tutto' by Chiara Camoni (front-facing terracotta statues), and ZEGNA's sponsorship reflects its long-standing commitment to cultural patronage, a defining value of the ZEGNA family.
Discover all the information about Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 in this guide by Venice Insider Guide.
Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 by Chiara Camoni
Representing Italy is artist Chiara Camoni, alongside curator Cecilia Canziani. Camoni’s practice is process-driven and immersive, engaging deeply with organic materials and emphasizing transformation, collective making, and relational space. Camoni's practice is characterized by an intuitive, process-oriented engagement with organic materials, time, and collective creation, fostering immersive environments that encourage dialogue between artworks and viewers.
The project, selected by the Italian Ministry of Culture and officially presented in Rome, carries the evocative title: “With You, With Everything.”
Designed as a collaborative landscape involving community and friends, the project reflects an ecological approach to art-making. The Italian Pavilion will transform the institutional setting into a shared, atmospheric landscape that resembles an artist's studio. And we see front-facing terracotta statues.
During the press conference, attended by institutional figures such as Alessandro Giuli and Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the symbolic importance of the Italian Pavilion within one of the world’s most prestigious art events was strongly emphasized.
Background Info
The Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 is a benchmark of contemporary art. This year's pavilion, featuring the really thought-provoking exhibition "Con te con tutto" by Chiara Camoni and curated by Cecilia Canziani, is a real testament to the magic that happens when visionaries come together to create something truly special. And ZEGNA's support, which is totally in line with their ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and artistic innovation, is more than welcome.
Against the enchanting backdrop of Venice, the pavilion is more than just a space to exhibit art - it's a living, breathing dialogue between what's past and what's present. The city's unique blend of history, architecture and natural beauty gives the pavilion a real sense of place - a place that's both timeless and utterly on-trend. As part of the broader Venice Biennale 2026, the Italian Pavilion invites visitors to think big about identity, memory and transformation - echoing the Biennale's ongoing search for what it means to create and experience art in a world that's constantly changing.
The level of care that curator Cecilia Canziani has put into the pavilion is just incredible - every single element has been thought through and deeply rooted in the artist's practice. The support of ZEGNA and Cecilia's years of working closely with Chiara Camoni means that the pavilion is a real space for innovation and exchange within the international art community. And for visitors, this pavilion is a real treat - it's an exhibition that's not just about showcasing Italian heritage, but really pushing the boundaries of what contemporary art can be.
Where is the Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 located?
The Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026, titled “Con te tutto,” is located in the Tese delle Vergini at the Arsenale in Venice.
Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026: Curator and Artist
The Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 stands as a beacon of creative synergy, shaped by the longstanding partnership between curator Cecilia Canziani and artist Chiara Camoni. Their collaboration, rooted in over a decade of shared exploration, has culminated in the evocative exhibition “Con te con tutto.”
This project is more than an artistic endeavor - it’s a testament to the power of cultural diplomacy, where curatorial insight and artistic innovation merge to create a contemporary art experience that resonates far beyond national borders.
Nestled within the historic grounds of the Venice Biennale, the Italian Pavilion serves as a national pavilion that celebrates the richness of modern art and visual arts in Italy. Canziani and Camoni’s vision has garnered full support from leading figures and institutions in the art world, including the Douglas Hyde Gallery and the China Academy, underscoring the international recognition and relevance of their work.
Their approach not only honors Italy’s artistic heritage but also positions the pavilion as a vital space for dialogue and exchange within the global art community. As visitors step into the pavilion, they are invited to experience a living, breathing exhibition that reflects the evolving landscape of art, culture, and collaboration in Venice.
Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026: Exhibition Theme
At the heart of the Italian Pavilion's presentation for the Venice Biennale 2026 is a theme that's all about life and all the connections that come with it. "Con te con tutto" - which means "With you, with everything" - is like the pulse of the times, inviting visitors to appreciate the magic in everyday life. The exhibition space becomes a living, breathing entity, brought to life by natural elements, sculptural forms and the ongoing dialogue between artist, curator and audience.
This theme is part of a broader movement in contemporary art, where sustainability, interdependence and a renewed focus on materiality are all at the forefront. The use of organic materials and a collective approach to making art in the pavilion fosters a sense of community, turning the exhibition into a shared experience rather than something you view in isolation. The inclusion of works by the Soy Artistic Group and other collaborators deepens the narrative, giving you multiple perspectives on living together and being creative. When you attend the Venice Biennale 2026, the Italian Pavilion is not just an exhibition - it's a vibrant, evolving space that embodies the heartbeat of contemporary art and life in Venice.
Two Rooms, Two Worlds: Exploring Contrasts
The layout of the Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 invites visitors on a journey through two very different worlds, each room with its own unique atmosphere and experience. The first room, with its more than 20 sculptures, is a suspended, almost spiritual space. Here, the way the figures are arranged makes you feel like you're in a place of ritual and contemplation, encouraging personal engagement and introspection.
In stark contrast, the second room is bathed in natural light and feels really open and full of possibilities. Wooden furniture pieces and sculptural forms populate the space, suggesting a world in the making - dynamic, unfinished and full of potential. This deliberate contrast is a reflection of Chiara Camoni's fascination with the interplay between opposites and the beauty that can arise from their unexpected meeting.
Materials sourced from the Oasi Zegna and textiles from ZEGNA's historic wool mill add an extra layer to the exhibition, bringing the art into the rhythms of nature and the legacy of Italian craftsmanship. The pavilion thus becomes a microcosm of contrasts - sacred and everyday, finished and in-progress - inviting you to think about the connections between art, nature and human experience.
Material as Language: The Alchemy of Transformation
Chiara Camoni's artistic practice is all about her intuitive, hands-on engagement with materials, treating them as a language that's always evolving. In "Con te con tutto", terracotta, wood and natural elements aren't just shaped into sculptures - they're transformed into vessels of meaning, inviting viewers to become part of their unfolding story.
The Dialogues section, developed in collaboration with Fiammetta Griccioli and Lucia Aspesi, takes this exploration further by bringing together diverse genealogies and timelines. Here, the art of transformation isn't just about physical change but about creating connections - between artist and audience, past and present, material and idea. This approach echoes the ethos of the Holzwege Group, whose members also delve into the transformative power of materials in contemporary art.
Through this material-led practice, the Italian Pavilion becomes a space where art is not static but alive, constantly evolving through interaction and interpretation. Visitors are encouraged to see, touch and feel the art, experiencing firsthand the alchemy that turns raw materials into shared meaning.
Landscape and Culture: The Italian Influence
At the heart of the Italian Pavilion’s exhibition “Con te con tutto” lies a profound connection to Italy’s landscape and cultural heritage. Drawing inspiration from the concept of “Genius Loci” - the spirit of place - the pavilion’s design and artworks are shaped by the unique context of Venice and the broader Italian environment. Natural elements such as botanical specimens, minerals, and organic materials are woven throughout the exhibition, grounding the contemporary art on display in the textures and rhythms of the land.
This thoughtful integration of nature is more than aesthetic; it reflects a philosophy that values the interplay between art, environment, and community. The use of natural elements in “te con tutto” invites visitors to experience the exhibition as a living ecosystem, where every material and gesture is imbued with meaning. By honoring the landscape and culture that inspire it, the Italian Pavilion becomes a space where tradition and innovation coexist, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring influence of Italy’s natural and cultural riches.
Patronage and Support: The Forces Empowering Creativity
The realization of the Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 is a shining example of how patronage and institutional support can empower artistic innovation. ZEGNA’s dedication to culture, craftsmanship, and environmental stewardship has been pivotal in bringing “Con te con tutto” to fruition. Their involvement goes beyond traditional sponsorship, embodying a modern form of patronage that seamlessly integrates art, nature, and local heritage.
This collaborative spirit extends to the full support provided by esteemed institutions such as the National Gallery and the San Trovaso Art Space. Their contributions have been instrumental in transforming the pavilion into a vibrant art space that reflects the best of Italian creativity and cultural diplomacy. The partnership between ZEGNA, Chiara Camoni, and Cecilia Canziani serves as a model for future projects, demonstrating how the fusion of artistic vision, curatorial expertise, and institutional backing can yield extraordinary results.
Ultimately, the Italian Pavilion is a testament to the power of collective effort in the world of contemporary art. It stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when artists, curators, and supporters come together with a shared commitment to culture, life, and the transformative potential of art.
Engaging Visitors: Interactive and Participatory Experiences
One of the defining features of the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2026 is its commitment to interactive and participatory experiences. Rather than presenting art as something to be passively observed, “Con te con tutto” invites visitors to become active participants in the creative process. The exhibition space is designed to foster dialogue, collaboration, and shared discovery, encouraging guests to engage with the artworks and with each other.
Workshops, communal activities, and hands-on installations are woven throughout the pavilion, reflecting Chiara Camoni’s belief in the power of collective making. Visitors may find themselves shaping materials, contributing to evolving sculptures, or joining in conversations that blur the boundaries between artist and audience. This participatory approach transforms the pavilion into a vibrant community hub, where every visitor plays a role in bringing the art to life. In doing so, the Italian Pavilion exemplifies the spirit of contemporary art at the Venice Biennale - open, inclusive, and ever-evolving.
Italian Pavilion Venice Biennale 2026 (La Biennale di Venezia): What to expect
Don’t expect a traditional exhibition: Camoni’s project unfolds as a large-scale participatory installation, where sculpture, nature, and human relationships intertwine.
The exhibition will take place in the Tese delle Vergini at the Arsenale, transforming the space into an ever-evolving landscape of natural elements, bodies, and materials.
Among the most fascinating elements:
- ceramic figures immersed in an almost ritualistic dimension
- environments designed to foster interaction and shared experiences
- a strong focus on contemporary themes such as ecology, collaboration, and community
The concept? Moving beyond the idea of national identity to embrace universal themes like coexistence and the relationship between humans and the non-human world.
Conclusion
If you’re planning a trip to Venice in 2026, this is more than just a cultural stop. The Italian Pavilion is conceived as a place to be lived in, not just visited, inviting you to slow down and engage with art on a deeper level.
In a city already suspended between history and magic, the Italian Pavilion Venice Art Biennale 2026 adds another layer of contemporary storytelling - perfect for travelers seeking meaningful and inspiring experiences.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a curious explorer, this pavilion is a must-see to understand the evolving direction of Italian and international contemporary art.
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