Spirituality

Patti Smith in the Vatican Pavilion. The Church and Art at the Venice Biennale

The Universalist

The Universalist

— 11 min read
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Patti Smith in the Vatican Pavilion. The Church and Art at the Venice Biennale
Patti Smith and Fr. Antonio Spadaro in the garden of the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Cannaregio (the Holy See Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art), May 8, 2026 // Photo: private archive

Patti Smith singing in a church at the Venice Biennale? For Fr. Antonio Spadaro, this is not a provocation but a "sound prayer." And a sign that the Church needs art that disturbs.

By Edward Augustyn, from Venice and Fr. Antonio Spadaro

Edward Augustyn: Patti Smith singing in a church at the opening of the Vatican Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. A bold idea.

Fr. Antonio Spadaro: Patti is an artist who has always united poetry, music, and transcendence. Her presence was therefore neither accidental nor decorative. Her entire artistic journey is a spiritual one, even if marked by provocations and rebellion. Her performance — kept to a small number of people, in order to preserve its contemplative, concentrated character — was not a concert but a "sound prayer."

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