Third Space Art Foundation Launches 1922 Revisited Performance Program at Venice Biennale 2026

Event summary

  • 1922 Revisited is a live arts program running May 5–9, 2026, during the Venice Biennale preview week.
  • Curated by Dr. Janine A. Sytsma, the program features 10+ artists from Africa and its diasporas.
  • The initiative draws on the fragmented archive of the 1922 Biennale, reinterpreting it through contemporary performance.
  • Presented in collaboration with the African Art in Venice Forum and the European Cultural Centre.
  • A companion publication, Harmonies of Repair, is in development alongside the live program.

The big picture

Third Space Art Foundation's 1922 Revisited program aligns with the growing trend of reinterpreting historical art exhibitions through contemporary lenses, particularly those rooted in African thought. The initiative reflects broader shifts in the art world toward decolonial practices and the blurring of boundaries between art and life. By engaging with the Biennale's imperial legacy, the program positions itself as a critical intervention in the discourse around cultural representation and historical memory.

What we're watching

Cultural Impact
How the program's decolonial approach will challenge traditional Biennale narratives and amplify African perspectives.
Strategic Partnerships
Whether Third Space Art Foundation can leverage this initiative to expand its institutional collaborations and funding opportunities.
Program Sustainability
The pace at which similar historically focused, performance-based programs will emerge in other major art biennales.