Derrick Adams installs a large-scale tribute to late curator Koyo Kouoh in Venice.
Artist Derrick Adams has unveiled a monumental public portrait of curator Koyo Kouoh in Venice during the 2026 Biennale, installing it on a façade near the Arsenale as a tribute to her legacy. Titled Heavy is the head that wears the crown (2026), the work reflects Kouoh’s role as the first African woman to curate the Biennale and explores the weight of cultural leadership. Rendered in Adams’ bold, geometric style and referencing ideas of joy and Ubuntu, the painting underscores Kouoh’s lasting impact on global contemporary art and community-driven practice.
Iran withdraws from the Venice Biennale.
Iran has withdrawn from the 2026 Venice Biennale, becoming one of several countries affected by escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the exhibition, though no official reason for its decision was publicly given. Iran’s exit underscores how the 2026 Biennale has become deeply entangled in global politics, with participation itself increasingly shaped by diplomatic pressures rather than artistic considerations.
The Met Gala’s arrival carpet looked mossy this year.
The 2026 Met Gala carpet departed from its traditional red, instead appearing as a cream-toned, hand-painted surface designed to resemble a weathered stone garden path with mossy green accents, aligning with the “Fashion Is Art” theme. Inspired by Northern Italian Renaissance gardens, the setting extended beyond the carpet itself, with wisteria in soft pinks, purples, and whites cascading overhead and creating a romantic, immersive environment that framed guests as “living artworks.”
The deadline approaches for the AIA CA’s Architecture at Zero competition.
The Architecture at Zero 2026 competition—an international design challenge focused on decarbonization, resilience, and equity—is approaching its final deadline, with submissions due June 1. Open to students and professionals worldwide, this year’s brief asks participants to design “La Plaza,” a 10,000-square-foot cultural and educational facility in Lancaster, California, which must also function as an emergency operations center during crises such as wildfires or extreme weather. Proposals are evaluated on design quality as well as how effectively they address carbon reduction, climate resilience, and social equity, with total prize funding of up to $25,000 and winners announced later in 2026.
Pompeii Archaeological Park uses A.I. to depict the final moments of a man who died in the Vesuvius eruption.
Archaeologists at Pompeii Archaeological Park have used artificial intelligence for the first time to reconstruct the face and final moments of a man who died during the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, offering a more human depiction of the disaster. Based on skeletal remains found near the Porta Stabia necropolis, the reconstruction shows the man attempting to flee the city while holding a terracotta mortar over his head to shield himself from falling volcanic debris, and carrying personal items including an oil lamp, ring, and coins. Developed with the University of Padua, the project uses A.I. to translate archaeological data into a more realistic image, demonstrating how new technologies can make ancient history more accessible while preserving scientific accuracy.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Bernard Tschumi Architects integrates helical slides into a Swiss school’s science center.
A rare rainbow cloud phenomenon has been captured on video.
Lina Lapelytė filled Hamburger Banhof’s Historic Hall with 400,000 wooden cubes.
And here’s every look from this year’s Met Gala.
