Matter of Art 2026

The 2026 Biennial of Art presents a space for dialogue and confrontation between diverse cultural strategies that respond to the urgency of life, primarily through artistic forms. The curatorial concept, based on the desire for fair, equal, and inclusive coexistence, takes "necessity" as its key concept and principle. This connects not only the exhibited works, but also the organizational and educational methods, ways of sharing time and space, and the very creation and reception of art. Art is not understood here as an aesthetic choice, a commodity, or a professional activity, but as an instinctive, embodied response to living conditions—as something inevitable that is deeply embedded in the structure of everyday life and its politics. The curators invited artists who understand art in this way to collaborate. Their work speaks to the urgency of art as an existential statement by those who are currently particularly threatened or vulnerable, whether they are Palestinians or people of Arab origin living in the diaspora, or queer people from Eastern Europe or the post-Soviet space. This urgency does not have to be expressed only through grand gestures and words, but also through very personal and intimate statements. The 2026 Biennial of Art is the culmination of two years of activities by the tranzit.cz initiative. Following on from the work of an international curatorial group and a program of artist residencies, an international exhibition with an interdisciplinary live program will take place in Prague and Pardubice. Six new art projects are being created for the exhibition, which will be complemented by loans of other works. The main exhibition will take place at the National Gallery in Prague and GAMPA. tranzit.cz has long been dedicated to mapping and creating innovative strategies for mediation and involving disadvantaged or marginalized groups of people as participants and spectators in its projects. The educational and mediation program will be a key element of the biennial's live program and will be developed in collaboration with the educational department of the NGP, GAMPA, and invited experts. Accessibility is one of the long-term goals of tranzit.cz.