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Behind the Biennale: Meet the Creators and Studios Powering This Year’s Big Shows

sscenery

2026-02-25

6 min read

Hook: If you love striking exhibitions and picture‑perfect views, you’re stuck between two problems: tracking the creators who shape the world’s biggest biennales and finding the exact viewpoints to photograph them. This guide pulls both together.

In 2026, biennales are no longer just galleries and pavilions — they’re transmedia ecosystems created by studios, independent artists and production companies that think in IP, immersive tech and global audiences. That shift creates opportunities and obstacles for travelers, photographers and curators: who builds these shows, where to see them, how to photograph them responsibly, and where to stay or book a guided experience nearby.

The big change in 2026: exhibitions as transmedia events

Over the last 18 months we've seen a clear pattern: independent transmedia studios and production houses are becoming essential partners for biennale curators. They bring IP, digital layers (AR/VR), and cross‑platform storytelling that scale an installation from a pavilion to a festival circuit and streaming series. Notable industry moves underline this trend: European transmedia IP studio The Orangery, founded in Turin, signed with talent agency WME in January 2026—an explicit sign that agencies are now packaging exhibition creators as scalable IP partners (Variety, Jan 2026). At the same time, legacy media companies like Vice are doubling down on production capabilities to act as full‑service studios and content partners for large shows (Hollywood Reporter, Jan 2026).

Why this matters to travelers and photographers

Exhibitions are increasingly multimedia: expect projection mapping, live performance slots, and AR overlays that change the way you photograph the work.
Studios control IP more tightly—photography, licensing and press access rules are becoming formalized.
Many creators pair installations with off‑site experiences (sound walks, rooftop projections, staged viewpoints) — once you know the studio, you can discover photo‑worthy sidetrips nearby.

“Treat a biennale like a city with districts: studios plant the flags; your best shots are at the edges, where installations meet skylines and public viewpoints.”

Profiles: creators, studios and where to photograph their work

Below are profiles of five influential players currently shaping biennale programming in 2026. Each profile includes what they build, why curators hire them, and nearby viewpoints and booking tips for photographers who want memorable, licensable images.

The Orangery (Turin, Italy) — transmedia IP with exportable franchises

What they do: The Orangery started as a European transmedia IP studio focused on graphic novels and franchise storytelling. With commercial hits like "Traveling to Mars" and "Sweet Paprika," they now translate narrative IP into immersive exhibition components—graphic installations, AR layers for comic panels and staged readings that travel with the show (Variety, Jan 2026).

Why curators hire them: They come with ready audiences and licensing models. Their installations are built to be photogenic and sharable—projection mapped walls, interactive kiosks and curated photo moments designed to go viral while remaining museum‑grade.

Photographer’s nearby viewpoints:

Mole Antonelliana tower observation deck — sweeping city panoramas that pair with rooftop installation shots; best at golden hour. Book timed tickets with the museum office; ask for a press/photographer pass if you plan tripods.
Superga Hill (Basilica di Superga) — 20 minutes from central Turin, offering a wide valley view perfect for juxtaposing outdoor projection events and city lights. Accessible via the historic tram (funicolare) or short transfer; sunrise yields long shadows for cinematic silhouettes.
Parco del Valentino riverbank — ideal for wide frames showing an exhibition facade with the Po River reflection after dusk. Pathways get busy; plan composition in advance and secure permits for long exposures.

Booking & stay tips: Stay near Porta Nuova or San Salvario for quick access to galleries. Local guided options: rooftop tower tours, Mole photography sessions and specialized comic/graphic‑novel walking tours that often include pop‑up studio visits. Contact Turin tourism or look for curated experiences on major booking platforms and local photography collectives for private viewpoint access.

Vice Studios (U.S., global production) — from publisher to full production partner

What they do: Vice has been public about rebuilding its production arm to be a studio for hire and co‑producer. In 2026 Vice’s strategy shifts make them a go‑to partner for large‑scale audiovisual pavilions and documentary components attached to biennales (Hollywood Reporter, Jan 2026).

Why curators hire them: They can produce broadcast‑quality content, digital archives and streaming extensions of a physical show—great if a biennale wants a documentary series or an online exhibition portal.

Photographer’s nearby viewpoints (Los Angeles example):

Griffith Observatory and trails — iconic skyline shots; also useful when an installation spills into the night sky (drone rules apply—LA is strict). Apply for LA Recreation & Parks filming permits if you’ll bring pro gear.
Venice Beach Boardwalk — eclectic foreground elements for street‑level shots when Vice‑style pop‑ups appear. Weekdays offer cleaner frames; sunrise is best for long shadows and fewer crowds.
Getty Center terraces — architectural lines and curated gardens give polished frames for photographing site‑specific media art from above. Book a camera pass at the visitor desk if you need tripods.

Booking & stay tips: Look for “studio tours” or production facility open days when Vice or partner houses host public screenings. In large cities they sometimes run ticketed events that include Q&A with producers and controlled photo access.

Aria Lab (Venice-based transmedia collective)

What they do: A smaller, Venice‑rooted transmedia studio specializing in sensory, climate‑aware installations—soundwalks, tidal projections and RFID‑triggered narratives that respond to tide and weather (emphasizing the biennale’s urgency around environment in 2026).

Why curators hire them: They are experts at site‑responsive work that integrates local ecology and community practice—essential for festivals aiming for social and environmental credibility.

Photographer’s nearby viewpoints (Venice):

Riva degli Schiavoni promenade — classic waterline foregrounds for floating installations and projection reflections at dusk.
San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower — island viewpoint that gives sweeping frames across the Giudecca Canal; book the tower in advance for sunrise shots that capture installation light and lagoon mist.
Zattere waterfront — long canal lines useful for low‑angle compositions during soundwalk openings. Expect crowds during festival weekends; arrive early and secure a permit if using a tripod on public walkways.

Booking & stay tips: Venice provides a lot of official guided access during the Biennale. Reserve tickets and any extra viewpoint passes via the Biennale’s official ticketing desk; for rooftop and tower access, book early and consider a private photography morning tour led by a local guide to avoid the crowds.

Liminal Workshop (Berlin) — experimentation meets production scale

What they do: Berlin’s Liminal Workshop (a common model for transmedia labs) blends data visualization, immersive projection and AI‑assisted curation into gallery installations. Their work often functions as both an exhibit and a data source for interactive apps used during the festival.

Why curators hire them: They can prototype quickly and scale with modular builds. Their pieces often activate nearby urban spaces as

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