Venice Biennale 61: Patti Smith and Soundwalk Collective Unveil Ritual Performance

The Venice Biennale 61 featured a compelling collaboration between Patti Smith and the Soundwalk Collective, delivering a ritual performance that deepened the exhibition’s theme of reflective listening.

This half-hour event, organized in partnership with Onassis Culture, highlighted three specially created works, incorporating texts and hymns traditionally linked to Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a revered 12th-century Benedictine nun and sage in sacred music.

The performance unfolded within the Holy See Pavilion of the Vatican, supporting Koyo Kouoh’s curatorial vision that encouraged a quieter, more attentive experience.

Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers with creative input from Boots Collective, the show spanned two locations in Venice, showcasing new works from artists like Jim Jarmusch, FKA twigs, and Kali Malone.

Thirty-one of these pieces were sound-based, with Visitors instructed to embed headphones and immerse in a cohesive sonic journey inspired by Hildegard’s legacy.

Post-performance insights from Stephan Crasneanscki, lead of Soundwalk Collective, emphasized the project’s goal: honoring Hildegard as a patron of sound and nature, and renewing contemplative engagement with music.

The exhibition at this pivotal event signals a turning point, balancing artistic innovation with the enduring power of audio.

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