The boundaries of dance have never been more boldly pushed as British icon Wayne McGregor takes centre stage at the 2026 Venice Dance Biennale. This year's event is a no-holds-barred redefining of what it means to be 'dancing', with themes that tackle quantum gravity, geopolitics and the complexities of time itself. It's an ambitious move that has everyone talking – and for good reason.
One performance that's been on every dancer's lips is Andrea Salustri's 'Invisible'. Gone are the traditional steps and movement we've come to expect from dance; instead, this Italian choreographer has orchestrated a mesmerising spectacle of light, air, water and sound waves. With shadowy conductors at its helm, 'Invisible' conjures up atmospheric storms that had audiences on the edge of their seats – flashing lights, amplified rain sounds and billowing smoke combining to create a spinning tornado. It's a game-changer, and one that perfectly encapsulates McGregor's vision for what dance can be.
As the festival marks its 20th year as a dedicated celebration of dance in Venice (it was once just part of theatre or music), it's clear that McGregor is on a mission to shake things up. In a special discussion celebrating this milestone, he and four former directors explored the age-old question: what exactly is dance? Choreographer Marie Chouinard nailed it when she said it's 'so ordinary that it still needs re-evaluating' – a sentiment that perfectly captures the Biennale's commitment to continuous questioning.
McGregor's central theme for the 2026 Biennale, 'Time Does Not Exist', draws inspiration from Carlo Rovelli's theory of quantum gravity. And what a concept it is – non-linear time reimagined through works like Soa Ratsifandrihana's 'Fampitaha, Fampita, Fampitàna'. This Madagascan choreographer's piece about living in diaspora sensitively explores how memories – particularly those stored within the body through songs, stories and dance steps – connect us to our homelands. It's a powerful reminder that our embodied pasts are always present in the present.
The festival also shines a spotlight on emerging talent, with South African artist Mamela Nyamza picking up this year's Silver Lion award for an emerging artist. Her piece, 'The Herd/Less', presented a subtle yet powerful commentary on social structures – brightly clothed characters on tin-can stilts whose shifting allegiances and quiet power dynamics left audiences in awe. Later in the festival, the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement will be awarded to Aboriginal Australian company Bangarra Dance Theatre, celebrating their significant contributions to the art form.