The periphery as a space for experimentation
The second edition of the Durrës International Biennale of Contemporary Art runs from October 1 to 31, 2026. The theme of the event is "Periphery: Visual Transitions." Chief curator Massimo Scaringella and DIBoCA director Oltsen Gripshi see the periphery as a laboratory for contemporary artists — a space to observe and interpret traditions and changing social trends.
The Polish Pavilion is located at the National Archaeological Museum in Durrës. This is where an international audience will view Krzysztof Gil's installation.
"The Forge" and the origins of the word "ghetto"
The installation’s title is no coincidence. In the old Venetian dialect, the word "ghetto" originally meant a forge or foundry. It was in Venice that the world's first ghetto—a segregated Jewish quarter—was established in 1516. At the same time, highly skilled Roma blacksmiths lived and worked in the city, valued for their craftsmanship.
Krzysztof Gil’s installation weaves these historical threads together. He uses motifs from the blacksmithing tradition to explore memory, marginalization, and the often harmful ways the Roma community has been portrayed over the centuries.
Krzysztof Gil, "The Forge", installation, 2026 | Photo: Daniel Rumiancew / Zachęta archive
This is not the first collaboration between Gil and Dr. Weychert. Our researcher previously curated Gil’s exhibition at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art in Warsaw, which also explored themes of memory and complex social history.
About the Biennale
The Durrës International Biennale of Contemporary Art was founded in 2023 by Albanian artist, art historian, and curator Oltsen Gripshi. The inaugural event took place in 2024 under the theme "Artificial Intelligence: Hybrid Future."
The Biennale relies on a national pavilion format, showcasing the work of artists from specific countries. The first edition featured representatives from over a dozen nations worldwide, spanning Europe, South America, and Asia.