maroon mashrabiya pavilion hosts performances and communal rituals for qatar in venice

"At the future site of the permanent Qatar Pavilion in the Giardini, the country's national participation at Venice Art Biennale 2026, named 'untitled 2026 (a gathering of remarkable people)', transforms the pavilion grounds into an evolving cultural meeting place shaped by performance, cuisine, sound, and collective participation. Anchored by a maroon tent-like structure designed by Rirkrit Tiravanija, the exhibition brings together artists, musicians, poets, and chefs from across the Arab world and the broader MENASA region."

"Commissioned by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and co-curated by Tom Eccles and Ruba Katrib, the project is conceived as both architecture and social infrastructure. Tiravanija's temporary intervention references traditional Qatari gathering spaces through a fragmented mashrabiya pattern that filters light, air, and movement across the site, housing a continuous series of activations running throughout the duration of the Biennale. Live performances organized by Lebanese sound artist Tarek Atoui intersect with culinary programs developed by Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan."

"The exhibition expands on Tiravanija's long-running practice of creating environments activated through human interaction and shared experience. The structure becomes a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, inviting visitors into spaces animated by food, listening sessions, improvisation, and film screenings. The project anticipates the construction of Qatar's permanent Giardini pavilion designed by Lina Ghotmeh, announced earlier this year."

A Qatar Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale 2026 transforms its Giardini grounds into an evolving cultural meeting place. The national participation, titled “untitled 2026 (a gathering of remarkable people),” uses a maroon tent-like structure designed by Rirkrit Tiravanija as both architecture and social infrastructure. A fragmented mashrabiya pattern filters light, air, and movement across the site while hosting continuous activations throughout the Biennale. Artists, musicians, poets, and chefs from across the Arab world and the MENASA region participate. Live performances by Tarek Atoui intersect with culinary programs by Fadi Kattan. The project anticipates Qatar’s permanent Giardini pavilion designed by Lina Ghotmeh.

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