Exhibitions 9–10 May 2026: Venice anchors the weekend with Baselitz

Exhibitions for 9–10 May 2026: Venice at the center of the weekend

The weekend of 9–10 May 2026 is a key moment for planning museum and gallery visits, with Venice acting as the focal point due to the opening of the 61st Venice Biennale and several major exhibitions. Below is a concise, practical guide to the main shows and how to approach them.

What to see in Venice

• 61st Venice Biennale (International Art Exhibition) – opens to the public on 9 May 2026 and runs until 22 November 2026. It shapes much of the city’s exhibition calendar during this window.
• Georg Baselitz. Eroi d’Oro (Fondazione Giorgio Cini) – on view from 6 May to 27 September 2026. The show highlights the artist’s late work, with gold-ground surfaces as a defining feature.
• David Salle, Painting in the Present Tense (Palazzo Cini Gallery) – 6 May to 27 September 2026. A project where artificial intelligence is used to rework a painterly archive.
• Alighiero Boetti (SMAC Venice, Procuratie) – 7 May to 22 November 2026. A survey spanning over twenty-five years of practice focused on maps, systems and textile works.
• Marina Abramović. Transforming Energy (Gallerie dell’Accademia) – open from 6 May to 18 October 2026. An exhibition inviting visitors to slow down and engage physically with the works.
• Jan Fabre. The Quiet Source (Scuola Grande di San Rocco) – 9 May to 22 November 2026. New bronze sculptures set in dialogue with Tintoretto’s paintings.

Other openings across Italy

• Milan – openings such as Sacred Bread at Fabbrica del Vapore and Refracted Worlds in via Tortona are options for extended itineraries.
• Pordenone – Villa Cattaneo pays tribute to the centenary of Miles Davis.
• Rome – Spazio Opis presents the correspondence of Karl Lagerfeld to Armelle de Bascher.
• Subiaco – shows focusing on artist books by Guido Strazza.
• Moresco – opens Federica Giulianini’s solo exhibition Hear me.

Practical tips for the weekend

• One-day visitors: pick a compact route (for example San Giorgio Maggiore + Dorsoduro or Procuratie + Accademia) because travel time within Venice significantly affects how much you can see.
• Two-day visits: separate institutional museums from collateral projects to allow deeper engagement without rushing.
• Tickets and schedules: check museum and exhibition pages for pre-openings, vernissages or limited visiting windows; the Biennale and related shows often offer extended opening periods.

This weekend offers a chance to see exhibitions that engage memory, the body and archival practices: plan coherent routes to make the most of time and experience.