Born in Belgrade, Serbia, on November 30, 1946, and later naturalized American, Marina Abramović, one of the most renowned and beloved contemporary artists of our time, is preparing to celebrate her 80th birthday. To honor the event, Abramović will be honored with an unprecedented exhibition at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice. The show, "Transforming Energy", will be open from May 6 to October 19, 2026. Marina Abramović will be the first living female artist to have a major exhibition at the Gallerie dell'Accademia, making this a historic occasion. Shai Baitel, Artistic Director of Shanghai's Modern Art Museum, will curate the exhibition in close collaboration with the artist. The paintings will be displayed in both the permanent collection and temporary exhibition venues. “I was 14 when my mother took me to the Venice Biennale for the first time", Abramović recalled. "We took the train from Belgrade, and when I stepped out of the station and saw Venice, I started crying. It was stunningly gorgeous, unlike anything I had ever seen. Returning to Venice has now been a tradition, and the city has retained a special place in my heart ever since I received the Golden Lion in 1997. Now, as I approach my 80th birthday, I'm returning for an even more momentous reason: to be the first female artist to present an exhibition that encompasses the entire Gallerie dell'Accademia, including the permanent collection, with Transform Energy. This is a wonderful honor, and I am sincerely moved by the opportunity".
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