Press Preview
Holy See Pavilion
61st International Art Exhibition – Venice Biennale
On the occasion of the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, the Holy See Pavilion opens for a press preview with a wide-ranging exhibition project that brings together 24 artists engaging with the life and the spiritual and cultural legacy of Saint Hildegard of Bingen.
The Pavilion, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers, in collaboration with Soundwalk Collective, is spread across two distinct yet complementary venues, conceived as a single experiential journey:
• the Mystical Garden of the Discalced Carmelites, in the Cannaregio district
• the Complex of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice, in the Castello district.
The press preview will be held from 5 to 8 May, offering journalists the opportunity to visit the exhibition in advance and to meet the curators and artists.
For the venue at the Mystical Garden of the Discalced Carmelites, in order to facilitate access, advance booking is required via the following link:
https://ticketing.coopculture.it/event/14163EFD-3212-9E72-0513-019DD9D6CB8E
The Complex of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice will instead be accessible to Biennale-accredited visitors without booking at the following times:
• Wednesday 6 May, 11:00 – 19:00
• Thursday 7 May, 11:00 – 19:00
• Friday 8 May, 11:00 – 17:00
Two special events will enrich the pre-opening programme:
Wednesday 6 May 2026, 16.00 – 17.30
At the Mystical Garden of the Discalced Carmelites (Cannaregio 54) a selection of artists and curators will be present. The space is next to the Venice Santa Lucia railway station (water bus stop: Railway – lines 1, 2, 3, N, 4.1, 5.1).
RSVP: Daisy Taylor, Bolton & Quinn – daisy@boltonquinn.com – +44 (0) 207 221 5000
Thursday 7 May 2026, 16:00 – 17:30
The meeting will take place at the Complex of Santa Maria Ausiliatrice (Fondamenta S. Gioacchino, Castello 450), in the presence of His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça and the curator Ben Vickers.
RSVP: Angélica Ferreira, angelica.ferreira@dce.va
For eventual interview requests, please contact us via the email addresses indicated above.
