Netherlands (The)

Dries Verhoeven is a visual artist and theatre maker. The new work The Fortress explores self-preservation in the face of major geopolitical uncertainty. Verhoeven and curator Rieke Vos take the contradictions of the Biennale as their starting point. According to the artist and curator, the Giardini della Biennale embody a world order from a bygone era, in which former Western powers still occupy a central position. They observe that countries, which in reality are closing their borders or rearming, appear to exist alongside one another in harmony, and that art seeks to uphold the idea of an Enlightenment tradition and a hopeful future.

During the Biennale Arte 2026, the Dutch Rietveld Pavilion, a modernist monument to openness and progress, is transformed into the antithesis of itself. Once visitors have entered the space, metal shutters gradually descend over the windows. What was once open, transparent, and accessible becomes dark and introspective. Performers emerge from among the audience. Reflecting the end of Enlightenment ideals, irrational impulses gain the upper hand. First comes bewilderment, then frenzy.

The space is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday at 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, and 17:00.

On Tuesdays, the pavilion presents itself as a closed sculpture.