The exhibition, conceived as a dialogue between art and haute couture, arrives in Lisbon in an adapted version of the original project developed by PM23 | Fondazione Valentino Garavani e Giancarlo Giammetti, in partnership with Valentino S.p.A.

Created by the Italian foundation, the project was first presented in January 2026 at the cultural space in Rome established by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, where it remains on display until 19 July 2026. Building on this original concept, the exhibition at MAAT unfolds within a new architectural setting, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the project.

Joana Vasconcelos, winner of the first edition of the Fundação EDP New Artists Award in 2000, is internationally renowned for her monumental installations and striking visual language. For this exhibition at MAAT, the artist co-created a site-specific exhibition route for the museum, bringing together iconic works and new creations inspired by the world of the Italian designer. Across Galleries 1 and 2, these works engage in a harmonious dialogue with more than 40 haute couture and ready-to-wear creations by Valentino Garavani.

Valkyrie Venus, created in 2025, stands at the heart of the exhibition from which it takes its title: an imposing textile sculpture conceived by the artist as a profound reflection on Valentino's legacy.

Among the new works are Venus, from the series Crochet Paintings, a framed series that transforms textiles into a pictorial surface, inspired by a Josef Hoffmann motif featured in the Valentino Garavani Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 1989-90 collection; and Sacro Cuore, a suspended textile sculpture.

The exhibition also includes some of Joana Vasconcelos' most iconic works, such as Marilyn, the monumental high-heeled shoes made from pots and saucepan lids; Garden of Eden, an immersive installation that invites visitors to walk through a labyrinth of artificial flowers; and Independent Heart #3, a sculpture made from plastic cutlery that recreates the shape of a traditional Heart of Viana.

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