A constellation of artists from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore examine themes of displacement, diaspora, and colonialism through the eyes of those who are physically and spiritually distant from their homeland. This is the Collateral Event The Spirits of Maritime Crossing, hosted at Palazzo Smith Mangilli Valmarana, which addresses the complex realities, cultures, and histories of the Southeast Asian region, contrasting them with Western narratives. Through a variety of works—mythological dances, glittering shards, embroidery, video performances, and phantasmagorical assemblages—the exhibition reveals traces of contemporary colonialism and hybrid cultures, focusing on the fates of those who are seen as outsiders and “foreigners everywhere,” fully engaging in the debate sparked by Adriano Pedrosa.

The exhibition takes its title from a new film directed by curator Prof. Dr. Apinan Poshyananda, starring Marina Abramović in her acting debut alongside Thai contemporary dance artist Pichet Klunchun. Abramović plays the role of a wandering spirit traveling from Venice to Bangkok, crossing unfamiliar lands in search of peace and fulfillment. Along the way, the spirit encounters priests, talismans, and a character called the Monkey King, played by Klunchun, who helps guide the spirit on its journey, exploring spirituality and the relationships between worlds so distant, yet so close.