Martial Artists: Bologna’s Radical Dialogue Series Challenges the Art World
A unique format stripping away traditional exhibition elements—works, stages, and mediation—returns to Bologna in 2026, prioritizing the unfiltered voice of the artist.
Bologna is set to host a compelling experiment in artistic discourse with the return of “Martial Artists,” a format conceived and curated by Veronica Santi. This innovative series, designed for ART CITY Bologna 2026, presents six verbal encounters between twelve artists, deliberately eschewing the conventional trappings of the art world. There are no artworks on display, no guiding images, no moderators – only direct, unmediated conversation.
Following successful iterations in 2024 and 2025, the 2026 edition aims to disrupt the typical dynamics of art events, focusing instead on the often-overlooked power of the artist’s spoken word. As one organizer explained, the project is a “radical tool, capable of suspending the usual dynamics of the exhibition event to focus on what often remains on the margins: the living word of the artist.”
From February 2nd to 8th, audiences will witness pairings such as Allison Grimaldi Donahue and Ramona Ponzini, Sissi and Yuri Ancarani, and Anna de Manincor and Emilio Fantin engage in live, unscripted dialogues. These are not curated for compatibility, but rather designed to spark “tensions, slippage, friction,” fostering a dynamic and unpredictable exchange.
The concept draws inspiration from martial arts, not merely as a metaphor, but as a framework for understanding the process. “As in a fight, discipline, technique, preparation and endurance come into play here,” the project materials state, “but above all the confrontation with the idea of invincibility and the possibility of failure.” The “adversary” in this context is not an opponent to be defeated, but a catalyst for self-reflection and reformulation.
Each forty-minute encounter will allow artists to freely explore themes, practices, and perspectives, resulting in narratives that are intentionally open-ended and generative. The audience, limited to fifty participants, will be seated in a circular arrangement, creating an intimate “ring” that emphasizes the immediacy and vulnerability of the dialogue. Attendees won’t observe a performance, but rather “a process in action.”
The conversations will extend beyond the live event, with recordings being edited into a podcast pilot project by Stefano D’Arcangelo (Nassau). This podcast will be archived by Alchemilla and distributed through industry broadcasters, expanding the reach of the project and offering a new avenue for critical listening.
The schedule of meetings is as follows: February 2nd features Allison Grimaldi Donahue and Ramona Ponzini (6:00 PM) followed by Sissi and Yuri Ancarani (7:30 PM). February 7th will host Rudy Cremonini and Eugenia Vanni (3:00 PM) and Paolo Chiasera and Giulia Poppi (4:30 PM). Finally, February 8th will showcase Alessandro Brighetti and Jacopo Benassi (11:00 AM) and Anna de Manincor and Emilio Fantin (12:30 PM). Admission is free, but reservations are required via email at [email protected].
Previous iterations of “Martial Artists,” launched in 2024, have already featured pairings such as Marzia Miglior vs. Paul Icarus and Federico Tosi vs. Davide Sgambaro, demonstrating the format’s potential for diverse and challenging conversations.
The project is spearheaded by Alchemilla, a non-profit cultural association based in Palazzo Vizzani, a historically significant building in Bologna. Alchemilla’s mission is to foster a space for artistic residency, collaboration, and dialogue, bridging the gap between past and present. In Bologna, “Martial Artists” offers a compelling alternative to traditional art exhibition formats, prioritizing the power of the spoken word and the dynamic exchange of ideas.
