OFFICIAL INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE BIENNIAL ART EXHIBITION
PERSONAL STRUCTURES IN VENICE, 2026 / EUROPEAN CULTURAL CENTRE Italy. Venice (ECC-Italy)
OFFICIAL INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE BIENNIAL ART EXHIBITION PERSONAL STRUCTURES IN VENICE, 2026
Hereby, the European Cultural Centre Italy (ECC-Italy) is pleased to announce the invitation of Herbert Hundrich presenting the project The River to participate in the 8th edition of ECC’s biennial contemporary art exhibition Personal Structures in Venice.
The exhibition will run from May 9 to November 22, 2026, in parallel with the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Personal Structures will be held in ECC’s exhibition venues: Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, and Marinaressa Gardens, all located in the heart of Venice.
Personal Structures is a dynamic platform showcasing innovative approaches to contemporary art. It highlights ongoing artistic explorations around the philosophical themes of Time, Space, and Existence, offering visitors insights into the latest trends and thoughts in the art world.
ECC invites a diverse group of participants, including renowned and emerging artists, cultural institutions, and universities from around the world.
For the 2026 edition, the project will investigate the relationship between individuals, communities, and their environments, focusing on how personal narratives shape the collective human experience. The exhibition will be free and open to all visitors. During its previous edition, Personal Structures welcomed more than 500,000 in-person attendees. The exhibition will also be accessible digitally, through virtual tours and various online content.
ECC had the pleasure of connecting with the practice of Herbert Hundrich, whose multidisciplinary work bridges installation, drawing, and socially engaged art. Through sustained exploration and reflection, Hundrich investigates pressing historical and contemporary issues, inviting viewers into a contemplative dialogue with human experience and shared global challenges.
The proposed installation for Personal Structures 2026, The River, unfolds as a monumental, immersive landscape composed of sewn emergency blankets and oversized tailored shirts. Flowing through space, the work serves as both a symbolic and physical timeline of humanity: from its origins to the present. It is not a monument of triumph, but of vulnerability, remembrance, and compassion.
Originally conceived as an artistic engagement with the political history of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the peaceful revolution of 1990, the project has expanded to respond directly to the crises shaping our contemporary world, including war, forced migration, and the erosion of human dignity. Through its material and spatial presence, The River calls on viewers to reflect on fundamental human rights and shared responsibility in a divided and turbulent global context.
Hundrich envisions the project evolving further into a second phase, casting the installation in bronze as a permanent work situated in a fitting landscape. This trajectory emphasizes the enduring relevance of its message and the capacity of art to inspire reflection, empathy, and collective action.
ECC believes that The River resonates strongly with Personal Structures’ curatorial themes of time, space, and relational experience. The work’s conceptual depth, emotional clarity, and monumental presence promise to offer a powerful and unifying contribution to the 2026 edition, engaging both the wider public and potential partners in its vision.
ECC believes that the interplay of these practices will resonate strongly with Personal Structures’ curatorial themes of time, space, and relational experience. Each artist brings emotional clarity, conceptual depth, and a distinctive material language, creating a collective installation that is both reflective and immersive.
This collaborative project invites viewers to engage with the environment and artworks in a meaningful, multi-sensory journey, amplifying themes of connection, environmental awareness, and cultural dialogue.
ECC will provide, among other things: access to and use of the designated exhibition space, the proper functioning of utilities, wall painting, general maintenance, and qualified staff for the installation, handling, maintenance, and dismantling of the exhibition.
ECC will also organize two major VIP preview events, including food and beverages, handle all necessary permits, and provide museum-quality lighting, standard audio-video equipment (flat screens, projectors, etc.), and comprehensive publicity materials such as banners, flyers, and digital content. Additionally, ECC will manage the mailing of invitations to an international PR list, collect and share data from visitors interested in contacting the exhibitor, produce online virtual tours of the exhibition, and create a high-quality printed and digital catalogue (approx. 600 pages) with dedicated sections for each artist and sponsor. ECC will also assist with customs formalities and shipping logistics as needed.
THE EUROPEAN CULTURAL CENTRE
The European Cultural Centre was founded in 2002 with the mission of promoting cultural initiatives and fostering dialogue through art. Since 2011, ECC Italy has been active in Venice, where it has developed a wide range of international exhibitions, conferences, publications, educational programs, and other cultural initiatives.
ECC champions a fair and inclusive approach, creating a cultural platform that is open to all—whether they are seasoned professionals or general art enthusiasts.
Since 2011, ECC has also served as a partner venue for La Biennale di Venezia, hosting national pavilions and official collateral events for both the Art and Architecture Biennales. Its exhibition spaces include Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora, Palazzo Michiel, and the Marinaressa Gardens.
Palazzo Bembo, located near the Rialto Bridge, is distinguished by its striking Venetian Gothic façade facing the Canal Grande. Built in the 15th century by the noble Bembo family, the palace has been meticulously restored through a partnership between ECC and its current owner. Since 2011, it has housed numerous prestigious exhibitions.
Palazzo Mora, situated on the bustling Strada Nuova in Cannaregio, dates back to the 16th century and features frescoes attributed to Tiepolo. Its multiple floors and entrance garden provide ample space for large-scale exhibitions, drawing significant visitor numbers each year.
Marinaressa Gardens, located between Piazza San Marco and the main Biennale venues, are transformed annually into a stunning sculpture park, offering an extraordinary outdoor setting for large-scale installations and sculptures.
The European Cultural Centre Italy is a limited liability company (SRL) registered in Venice, Italy, San Marco 2757, 30124, and is owned by the non-profit organization Worldwide, based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Prinsengracht 479, 1016 CV.
September 5th, 2025
Rene Antonie Reitmeyer
On behalf of the European Cultural Centre