Artworks created as part of an 'artist-in-archaeology' programme run by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) will be exhibited as part of the supporting programme for the 2026 Venice Art Biennale. The artist Elham Hadian is exhibiting works from the series Exposed Layers, inspired by the excavations of one of Europe’s oldest settlement sites in Svinjarička Čuka, Serbia, which is being excavated by Barbara Horejs with the Austrian Archaeological Institute at the OeAW.
The new findings from the excavations at Svinjarička Čuka, Serbia, have led to the development of new models of sedentary life in Southeast Europe and have been carried out since 2018 by an Austrian-Serbian team led by Barbara Horejs with the Austrian Archaeological Institute (OeAI) at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW). The remains of a permanent settlement, dating back over 8,000 years, provide evidence of a fully developed agrarian society that had already fully adopted all components of the new Neolithic way of life and was continuing to develop them in the Balkans. This community also demonstrates a strong artistic creativity, reflected in over 100 figurines made of burnt clay, which primarily depict schematic, abstract female figures. The possible significance of these figurative sculptures is being explored through a new research approach by the archaeologists, in collaboration with contemporary artists using various methodologies. To this end, an ‘artist-in-archaeology’ programme has been developed, the first works of which will be shown at the 2026 Art Biennale.
Archaeology and Art in Dialogue
The launch event on 13 May at the Palazzo Bembo in Venice will explore the connection between art and archaeology and its impact on contemporary art as well as on new research approaches in archaeology. Artists, archaeologists and students from the Ca’Foscari University of Venice will discuss the role of art in the deep past, as well as the new perspectives that artists open up on past societies. The collaboration between the two disciplines offers a new platform for social and political discourse, historical narratives, cultural memories and contemporary reflections.
The exhibition’s academic and cultural programme aims to create an open space for critical engagement and cultural exchange, with a view to fostering dialogue between artists and the academic community and reflecting on current discourses during the 2026 Venice Art Biennale. The programme accompanies the exhibition organised by the Barvinsky Art Gallery, Vienna, featuring works by Elham Hadian, Ryts Monet and Farniyaz Zaker. The programme is coordinated by Rosaura Cauchi (Barvinsky Art Gallery) and Barbara Horejs as part of the »Future Archaeology« initiative of the Austrian Archaeological Institute.
Astrid Pircher | Science Communication Austrian Archaeological Institute Phone: +43 1 51581-4060 astrid.pircher(at)oeaw.ac.at
Scientific Contact
Barbara Horejs Austrian Archaeological Institute at the Austrian Academy of Sciences T +43 1 51581-6101 barbara.horejs(at)oeaw.ac.at
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