Florentina Holzinger’s Seaworld Venice installation opens on May 6, 2026, at the Austrian Pavilion in Venice. The work aims to address the urgent climate crisis through performance art.
The installation will run through November 22, 2026, as part of the 61st Venice Biennale. Holzinger is known for extreme performances that often feature nudity and body horror. This piece explores survival amidst climate change in a flooded Venice where technology and nature collide.
A nude female performer will hang upside down inside a massive bronze bell, creating sound that resonates with the themes of environmental activism. Holzinger’s work critiques mass tourism and its environmental footprint, reflecting her ongoing engagement with societal issues.
Key facts:
- Seaworld Venice opens May 6, 2026, at the Austrian Pavilion.
- The installation runs until November 22, 2026.
- Holzinger’s performances often provoke strong reactions from audiences.
Nora-Swantje Almes commented on the project, saying, “We think about Venice as a city that is particularly threatened by the climate crisis and flooding. At the same time that we’re critical of it, we’re also part of it. We are complicit, as are the visitors to the Biennale.” This highlights the duality of critique and participation in environmental issues.
Austria has a strong tradition of extreme body art dating back to Viennese Actionists. Holzinger continues this legacy by combining nudity, athleticism, feminism, and social critique in her work. The Austrian Ministry supports this installation as part of its cultural initiatives.
