Patti Smith for the Vatican at the 2026 Venice Biennale

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Big news, fellow art-lovers: Patti Smith for the Vatican at the 2026 Venice Biennale is officially a go!

Venice is getting ready to dazzle the global art scene, the way it always does. Through its hidden courtyards, historic settings & those timeless canals, the 61st International Art Exhibition of the 2026 Venice Biennale will be hosting something that's got everyone all abuzz: Patti Smith's take on the Holy See Pavilion.

Get the scoop on Patti Smith for the Vatican at the 2026 Venice Biennale in this article by Venice Insider Guide.

The Vatican Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale

Patti Smith for the Vatican at the 2026 Venice Biennale: yes, that’s right.

The Venice Biennale in 2026, running from May 9 to November 22, is one of the biggest events in the art world – Biennale Arte to insiders. It's the Holy See Pavilion that really stands out as a cutting-edge initiative from Vatican City, reflecting the Church's ongoing involvement in the arts.

This time around, the Holy See Pavilion is going all in with a deep and spiritual project that's all about exploring the Catholic Church's role in promoting art and spirituality. The whole thing is being driven by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, which has become a major player in this space. It's all about deepening the connection between the Vatican and artists who are outside of the norm, spiritually speaking.

The curators have taken a pretty radical approach, inspired by Koyo Kouoh's idea for Biennale Arte 2026 – which was all about slowing down and tuning into the quieter stuff. The result is a 24-artist show, including Brian Eno, FKA Twigs, Patti Smith and Jim Jarmusch.

An immersive experience that brings art & spirituality together

The project statement is all about creating a kind of 'sonic prayer', inspired by the amazing life & legacy of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century abbess, poet & composer. The idea is to create a really contemplative experience for visitors, responding to the Biennale theme of 'In Minor Keys'.

Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers, in collaboration with Soundwalk Collective, the project is all about slowing down and really engaging with the sound works on show. They're drawing inspiration from Hildegard's chants and writings and even encouraging visitors to engage with the art in a pretty radical way.

Patti Smith at the heart of the Vatican project

And among the most hotly-anticipated names, there's Patti Smith – an absolute icon, bringing her unique take on poetry and sound to the pavilion. And, let's face it, Jim Jarmusch is pretty big news too – with his film-making skills set to bring a unique perspective to the show.

So, everyone loves the idea of going to see Patti Smith at the Vatican during the 2026 Venice Biennale.

An incredible lineup of international talent

There are some other big names involved too – including Brian Eno, FKA Twigs, Holly Herndon, Mat Dryhurst, Meredith Monk, Kali Malone, and Precious Okoyomon - all sorts of musicians, poets & filmmakers from around the world.

The pavilion will feature new sound works from some of the best sound artists around – including Soundwalk Collective, in response to Hildegard's chants and writings. And, in total, it's a show featuring 24 artists who've all been invited to reinterpret the idea of listening through their art.

The hidden locations of the Holy See Pavilion

The exhibition will take place across two sites in Venice – giving visitors a one-of-a-kind experience across two very different locations. One is the Mystical Garden of the Discalced Carmelites in Cannaregio, a really historic spot with a special connection to the Discalced Carmelites – where visitors can listen to sound works through headphones in a really peaceful setting.

The other is the Complex of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice in Castello, a beautiful medieval building that's been transformed into a kind of contemporary scriptorium & living archive. This is a really unique blend of old and new, combining historical spaces with modern installations to get visitors really engaged with the art.

Cannaregio & Castello: exploring Venice beyond the usual haunts

The project is set to unfold across these two pretty amazing locations:

  • The mystical garden of the Discalced Carmelites in the Cannaregio district – where visitors will experience sound works mostly through headphones, including specially-commissioned music & a pretty fascinating instrument created by Soundwalk Collective that 'listens' to the garden in real time.
  • The Santa Maria Ausiliatrice complex in Castello - a place that feels like a modern day scriptorium and archive, with a collection of artist books, works by the talented Ilda David, and contributions from the Benedictine nuns of the Abbey of St Hildegard Eibingen. You're going to see the final work of filmmaker Alexander Kluge here too, as well as lots of texts all about Saint Hildegard. Its a fantastic setting to give people a real and personal experience of the art on show.

These secret spaces are so rarely seen by the public, so they're perfect for creating a sort of timeless experience that feels like it could be from any era.

The theme: Hildegard of Bingen & The Power of Sound

At the heart of this project is Saint Hildegard of Bingen - a real firecracker of a woman who lived in the 12th century. She was a German Benedictine abbess, a poet, a healer, a composer and a complete visionary. She even got herself officially declared a saint and a Doctor of the Catholic Church back in 2012. Given that she was such a big deal to writers and musicians, it's no surprise that she is the inspiration behind this project.

Hildegard was a medieval abbess, poet, healer and composer and her ethereal music - especially her chants - are said to have come to her through some sort of mystical visions. Her impact on the world of contemplative art and sound is still felt today and its because of this that her legacy is so central to the exhibition - its a real celebration of her enduring influence.

A journey through Music, Faith and Contemplation

The works on show all engage with her spiritual and musical legacy, so it becomes a place where people can come to meditate and really connect with what's on show. The exhibition, called 'The Ear is the Eye of the Soul', draws a lot of its inspiration from Saint Hildegard of Bingen - a lady who lived in the 12th century and was super influential in the worlds of music and spirituality.

One very special parts of the exhibition is a film and image installation by the famous filmmaker Alexander Kluge - it involves a film which stretches across three rooms and acts like a sort of immersive movie experience - its an amazing way to experience the exhibition and engage with Hildegard's legacy. This installation is a real highlight of the exhibition and draws people in by asking them to contemplate the way that sound, image and spiritual reflection all come together.

Why this matters for visitors to Venice

If you're planning a trip to Venice in 2026 then the Biennial is going to be far more than just a normal exhibition - thats because it gives you access to places in Venice that are usually locked off from the public, and gives you a chance to really engage with the local culture. You'll get to experience some amazing art and get a sense of how Venice's history and culture are still alive today.

  • This lets you experience Venice like a local, and get a real feel for the place's incredible cultural heritage
  • Its also a mind-blowing multisensory art experience - you'll get to see how art can open people up to new possibilities and ways of thinking
  • Some of the most influential people in global culture are also involved in the exhibition, so you'll be rubbing shoulders with the best.

Patti Smith for the Vatican at the 2026 Venice Biennale: Conclusion

So its a real must see event if you're in Venice in 2026. Now that you know all about Patti Smith for the Vatican at the 2026 Venice Biennale, all you have to do is plan ahead.

If you're planning a trip to Venice that lets you get up close and personal with the city's beauty, then you need to put this on your calendar - its going to be one of the most unforgettable parts of your trip.

Stay tuned for more info about this and other Venice events on Venice Insider Guide!