Following the global success of Anthropocene, a multimedia exhibition documenting humanity’s irreversible impact on the Earth, photographer Edward Burtynsky continues his exploration of the environmental effects of industrialization with a new exhibition, presented for the first time in Italy at M9 – Museum of the 20th Century. After a successful debut at the Saatchi Gallery in London, the Edward Burtynsky exhibition arrives in Italy, offering the most comprehensive retrospective of Burtynsky’s more than 40-year career.

Renowned for his large-scale images of industrial landscapes, Burtynsky has dedicated his life to capturing the profound impact of human activity on the planet. His work focuses on what he describes as “large-scale industrial incursions across the planet,” documenting the often unseen consequences of industrial processes that serve our current needs but jeopardize the future of our environment.

Curated by Marc Mayer, former director of the National Gallery of Canada, with exhibition design by Alvisi Kirimoto, the Edward Burtynsky exhibition features over 80 large-format photographs, 10 high-definition murals, and an Augmented Reality experience. A new section, Process Archive, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tools and technologies Burtynsky has used throughout his career, including drones that have expanded his ability to capture vast landscapes from unique perspectives.

Visitors will also encounter Burtynsky’s powerful photographic campaign from 2022, commissioned by the Sylva Foundation, which documents the environmental catastrophe caused by Xylella on Apulian olive trees. This collection starkly illustrates the tangible impacts of climate change in Italy. Additionally, the exhibition screens the award-winning short film In the Wake of Progress (2022), co-produced by Burtynsky and music producer Bob Ezrin, featuring original music by the late Phil Strong. Shown in immersive mode, it debuts in Italy in the M9 Orizzonti room.

Burtynsky’s large-scale images often appear as abstract fields of color, drawing the viewer in before revealing the devastating reality behind them—industrial landscapes that testify to the environmental toll of human progress. This Edward Burtynsky exhibition is a visual reminder of the consequences of industrialization and climate change, prompting critical reflection on our role in shaping the planet’s future.

Burtynsky’s work is housed in over 80 major museums worldwide. His notable exhibitions include Anthropocene (2018), Water (2013), Oil (2009), China (2005), and Manufactured Landscapes (2003). Among his many accolades, Burtynsky received the 2023 PHotoESPAÑA Award and the Pino Pascali Award. He is also recognized for his role in producing the acclaimed documentary trilogy Manufactured Landscapes, Watermark, and ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch, all of which continue to be featured in festivals globally.

Images courtesy of BataGoran, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The exhibition 1912-1930 Murano Glass and the Venice Biennale, curated by Marino Barovier, offers a rare opportunity to explore the evolution of Murano glass at the Venice Biennale. Running until 24 November 2024 at LE STANZE DEL VETRO, this showcase focuses on the pivotal period from 1912 to 1930, highlighting how Murano glass gradually gained prominence at the prestigious event. This Murano glass exhibition presents 135 exquisite works, many of which are exceptionally rare, sourced from renowned museums and private collections.

Between 1912 and 1930, Murano glass became increasingly visible in the Biennale’s exhibitions, with artists recognizing the extraordinary possibilities offered by this medium. The artworks on display demonstrate the creative and technical mastery achieved by Murano glassmakers during this time, showing how the craft evolved into a fine art that could stand alongside traditional painting and sculpture. This period saw the introduction of the Applied Arts section, which included glassworks, housed alongside the Fine Arts exhibits in the Palazzo dell’Esposizione.

One of the highlights of this Murano glass exhibition is the way it illustrates the journey of Murano glass from a craft tradition to a key part of the Venice Biennale’s narrative. The decision to showcase Murano glass in the Biennale was a significant step in recognizing glass as an art form in its own right. By 1930, the Biennale acknowledged the importance of applied arts, leading to the eventual creation of a dedicated pavilion in 1932. This transition is a crucial moment in the history of both the Venice Biennale and the development of glass as a medium for artistic expression.

The exhibition is not only a visual celebration but also a scholarly one, as it is accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue curated by Marino Barovier and Carla Sonego. The catalogue is the product of meticulous research, combining an in-depth investigation into archival documents from the Biennale Historical Archive and a thorough bibliographic study. Visitors to the Murano glass exhibition will gain a deeper understanding of the artistic and historical significance of Murano glass. Its relationship with the Venice Biennale during these formative years.

This exhibition at LE STANZE DEL VETRO provides a unique insight into the delicate balance between tradition and innovation that defined Murano glass production in the early 20th century. As the exhibition runs until 24 November 2024, visitors have ample time to explore this fascinating chapter of art history. It is the rare chance to see some of the finest examples of Murano glass from the period. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a glass aficionado, or simply curious about the rich cultural heritage of Venice, this Murano glass exhibition offers a captivating look at how one of the world’s most beautiful materials found its place in one of the most important art events globally.

Images courtesy of https://lestanzedelvetro.org/ – Ph. Enrico Fiorese

The Julie Mehretu exhibition titled “Ensemble” will be presented at Palazzo Grassi from 17 March 2024 to 6 January 2025. Curated by Caroline Bourgeois, Chief Curator of the Pinault Collection, together with Julie Mehretu herself, this is the most comprehensive exhibition of Mehretu’s work to date in Europe. Spanning 25 years of her artistic journey, the exhibition features over fifty works, including both paintings and prints, with a particular focus on recent pieces from 2021-2024.

Spread across two floors of Palazzo Grassi, the Julie Mehretu exhibition brings together 17 works from the Pinault Collection alongside key loans from international museums and private collections. This rich selection allows visitors to experience the full scope of Mehretu’s dynamic and evolving artistic practice. Her works are known for their intricate layering of lines, forms, and marks, which create complex compositions that reflect global issues, urban landscapes, and the chaotic nature of contemporary life.

The exhibition is structured as a non-chronological exploration of Mehretu’s oeuvre, encouraging visitors to engage freely with her work. Central to the concept of the Julie Mehretu exhibition is the theme of collaboration and dialogue. Alongside Mehretu’s works, the exhibition features pieces by several of her closest artist friends, including Nairy Baghramian, Huma Bhabha, Tacita Dean, David Hammons, Robin Coste Lewis, Paul Pfeiffer, and Jessica Rankin. These artists, who share with Mehretu an experience of displacement—whether leaving or fleeing countries like Ethiopia, Iran, and Pakistan—engage in a rich visual and conceptual dialogue with her art.

Through this exhibition, Mehretu explores the idea that art is not created in isolation. Instead, it is deeply influenced by connections, relationships and shared experiences. This collaborative spirit is at the heart of Ensemble, revealing how Mehretu’s artistic practice has been shaped by her peers and how her works resonate with broader social, political, and cultural themes.

The Julie Mehretu exhibition will also include a series of public conferences and cultural events at the Teatrino di Palazzo Grassi, providing additional insights into the exhibition’s themes and the artists involved. A comprehensive catalogue, published by Marsilio Arte, Venice, will accompany the exhibition, featuring contributions by Hilton Als, Caroline Bourgeois, Patricia Falguières, Julie Mehretu, Jason Moran, and two in-depth conversations between Mehretu, Paul Pfeiffer, Lawrence Chua, and Caroline Bourgeois.

In collaboration with K21–Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen in Düsseldorf, which will present the exhibition in 2025, the Julie Mehretu exhibition at Palazzo Grassi offers a unique opportunity to explore the work of one of the most significant contemporary artists today, showcasing her continued innovation and engagement with the world around her.

Images courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/ugardener/52018331061 – Ph. JR P

The Henri Matisse exhibition at the Centro Culturale Candiani presents a new and captivating project, drawing from the civic collections of modern art at Ca’ Pesaro. This exhibition focuses on the work of Henri Matisse, one of the most significant masters of the 20th century, and his connection to the vibrant artistic movements of his time. Featuring three important lithographs from the 1920s and two drawings from 1947, all from the Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna, the exhibition brings Matisse’s work into dialogue with that of his contemporaries, including Henri Manguin, André Derain, Albert Marquet, Maurice de Vlaminck, Raoul Dufy, and Pierre Bonnard.

Matisse, known for his expressive use of color and line, played a key role in the Fauve movement, which sought to break free from traditional artistic constraints. Central to the Henri Matisse exhibition is the idea of light and color, particularly the Mediterranean light that inspired many of the artists on display. The Fauves, including Matisse, were driven by a desire to capture the golden light of the Mediterranean, a light that “suppresses shadows,” as Derain once wrote to Vlaminck. This light, along with the vibrant use of color, formed the foundation of their expressionist approach.

The exhibition weaves Matisse’s artistic journey with those of his close contemporaries, showcasing how these artists revolutionized modern European art by focusing on the inner qualities of mimetic painting, both optical and conceptual. Matisse’s deep connection to the Mediterranean, especially to cities like Nice and Saint-Tropez, is a prominent theme throughout the exhibition. These locations were central to the evolution of his art, shaping the visual language of the 20th century and influencing the way future generations approached color and form.

Drawing plays a vital role in Matisse’s work, often bordering on obsession, as seen in his meticulous attention to the arabesque lines of his female figures and his reflections on the decorative arts. His work, as explored in the Henri Matisse exhibition, embodies the concept of “pleasure in drawing,” a notion also reflected in the writings of philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy. The exhibition not only explores Matisse’s mastery but also examines how his friendships and collaborations with artists like Derain and Vlaminck contributed to the artistic revolutions that shaped modern art.

At the heart of the exhibition is the Mediterranean itself, a geography of artistic creation that served as a muse for Matisse and his peers. The Mediterranean, with its vivid colors and dynamic landscapes, became a central figure in their work, symbolizing freedom and expression. Through this Henri Matisse exhibition, visitors can explore how the region’s light and landscapes profoundly influenced Matisse and left an enduring legacy on 20th-century art.

Images courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/gandalfsgallery/7793747306 – Ph. Gandalf’s Gallery

The Eva Jospin exhibition titled “Selva” invites visitors to explore the unique relationship between nature and art through her intricate and immersive creations. Born in Paris in 1975, Eva Jospin completed her studies in 2002 and later became a resident at the Académie de France in Villa Medici, Rome from 2016 to 2017. Her artistic journey is deeply rooted in her fascination with nature, capturing its raw essence as well as the diverse iconographic and iconological interpretations it has inspired throughout history.

Using humble materials such as cardboard, plant-based elements, fibers, metal, and fabric, Jospin creates large-scale plastic compositions that evoke a world of landscapes, trees, plants, geological formations, and architectural structures. These works often possess a fairy-tale quality, imbuing her creations with a mysterious, almost magical tone. Through these intricate compositions, she encourages reflection on themes like the creative intellectual processes of past and present, environmental and ecological concerns, and the perception of space. Her works alter both the intellectual and physical space of the venues in which they are displayed, creating a transformative experience for viewers.

The Eva Jospin exhibition at Venice’s Palazzo Pesaro exemplifies her ability to engage with both the historical and environmental contexts of her surroundings. The ancient palazzo, which houses the diverse collections of Mariano Fortuny, serves as the perfect backdrop for Jospin’s work. Her sculptures interact with the existing collections in a dialogue that reveals surprising and unexpected aesthetic and methodological affinities between her creations and Fortuny’s artistic vision. This connection forms the conceptual foundation of the exhibition and drives the choice of the venue, highlighting the relationship between Jospin’s poetic vision and the historical art housed within the space.

Through Selva, Jospin invites visitors to delve into a world that straddles the line between reality and imagination, where nature and art converge in an immersive experience that challenges both intellect and emotion. The Eva Jospin exhibition not only showcases her technical skill but also her profound engagement with the themes of nature, creation, and environmental awareness, making it a must-see event for art lovers visiting Venice.

Images courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/53838929666/ – Ph. Jean-Pierre Dalbéra.

From 28 March to 24 November 2024, the Helmut Newton exhibition titled “Legacy” will take center stage in Venice, curated by Matthias Harder, Director of the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin, and Denis Curti. This retrospective marks the hundredth anniversary of the iconic photographer’s birth (Berlin, 1920 – Los Angeles, 2004) and stands as the most comprehensive exhibition dedicated to Helmut Newton’s work to date.

With over 250 photographs, polaroids, and archival documents, the Helmut Newton exhibition retraces the legacy of one of the most influential and controversial photographers of the 20th century. Known for his provocative style, Newton’s work pushes the boundaries of fashion photography, often blending boldness with elegance. The exhibition on San Giorgio Maggiore Island, with its stunning views over the San Marco basin, further enhances the power of Newton’s imagery, displaying iconic works alongside a selection of previously unseen pieces that offer new perspectives on his practice.

Born as Helmut Neustädter in Berlin, Newton fled Nazi Germany in 1938 and started his photography career in Australia, where he eventually opened his own studio. In Melbourne, he met June Brown, also known as Alice Springs, who would become his lifelong partner and muse. His career blossomed in Europe and the United States, particularly through his collaborations with renowned magazines like Vogue and designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, and Thierry Mugler. Newton’s daring approach to fashion and the female form, as seen in his celebrated Big Nudes series, challenged conventions and left an indelible mark on the world of photography.

The Helmut Newton exhibition is structured into six chronological chapters, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of Newton’s career from his early days in Australia in the 1940s and 1950s, through his work in France in the 1960s, and on to his groundbreaking fashion photography in the 1970s in the United States. The exhibition continues with his prolific period in Monte Carlo and Los Angeles during the 1980s and highlights his work throughout the 1990s, documenting his global travels and extensive body of work.

Curator Matthias Harder emphasizes Newton’s deep connection to Venice, as evidenced by his various projects in the city, such as his 1966 report for Queen magazine and his portrait of Anselm Kiefer. After living in Australia and the United States, Newton returned to Europe, residing in Paris and Monte Carlo while making frequent visits to Venice. This exhibition in Venice is a fitting tribute to his lifelong fascination with the city and his remarkable contributions to photography.

Images courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/drewwilsonphotography/7160325045– Ph. Drew Wilson.

The Francesco Vezzoli exhibition marks a significant chapter in the artist’s ongoing exploration of the relationship between contemporary culture and classical antiquity. Running at the Museo Correr in Venice, this exhibition is a natural continuation of Vezzoli’s artistic journey, which has evolved over the past decade to create a bridge between past and present, blending solemn historical references with pop culture.

Francesco Vezzoli is known for his ability to merge different media, including video, artistic performance, and his signature portraits adorned with embroidered tears. His work juxtaposes the grandeur of classical art with contemporary icons, creating a dialogue that spans centuries. This new Francesco Vezzoli exhibition builds on this theme, presenting works from his extensive artistic repertoire alongside masterpieces from the Museo Correr’s collection, offering a fresh narrative that views the history of art as alive, relevant, and constantly evolving.

Vezzoli’s ability to recontextualize the past was first showcased internationally in his 2011 Sacrilegio exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery in New York. There, he transformed the gallery into a Renaissance chapel, inserting contemporary supermodels like Claudia Schiffer and Linda Evangelista into reinterpretations of 16th-century Italian Madonnas. This bold combination of sacred and profane elements has become a hallmark of Vezzoli’s work, and his latest project in Venice continues this tradition of blending different eras and artistic expressions.

In Musei delle Lacrime, Vezzoli presents a series of historical and recent works, including some created specifically for this exhibition. By placing them alongside religious and cultural masterpieces from the Museo Correr, Vezzoli encourages a new reflection on themes such as identity, emotion, and the role of the past in the present. His work does not seek to erase or deny history, but rather to engage with it in a way that highlights its ongoing relevance.

The Francesco Vezzoli exhibition is not only a celebration of art history, but also a tribute to the city of Venice, a city that embodies the intersection of tradition and modernity. The project is designed with Venice in mind, paying homage to the city’s rich cultural legacy and the work of architect Carlo Scarpa, who played a significant role in shaping the artistic identity of Venice’s museums. By merging past and present, Vezzoli’s work emphasizes the transcendental power of art and its ability to resonate across different historical moments.

Vezzoli’s previous projects, such as his exhibitions at the Collection Lambert in Avignon (2019) and Palcoscenici archeologici with the Fondazione Brescia Musei, have explored similar themes of archaeology and memory. His work often incorporates ancient art into contemporary settings, as seen in his 2021 sculptures for the project Francesco Vezzoli in Florence, where he placed modern and ancient elements in public spaces, creating powerful visual statements about the coexistence of past and present.

This latest Francesco Vezzoli exhibition at the Museo Correr furthers his exploration of these ideas, inviting visitors to experience the dialogue between his art and the historical treasures of Venice. Through a unique blend of classical and contemporary, Vezzoli’s work continues to challenge and inspire, offering a fresh perspective on the timeless power of art.

Images courtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/medievalkarl/16276861420/– Ph. Karl Steel.

The exhibition “Banksy. Painting Walls” offers its visitors the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistic universe of a creative who has dominated the world cultural scene for over twenty years. In particular, through his ability to intervene with artistic messages even in war contexts, Banksy demonstrates once again his extraordinary ability to connect with the present, maintaining an artistic commitment that stands out for addressing crucial issues such as climate change, social inequalities, migration flows, conflicts and human rights.

The focus of this exhibition are three original walls painted by the British artist. These are three extraordinary works from private collections, created by Banksy in 2009, 2010 and 2018 respectively, and located in London, Devon and Wales. The three works stage three young teenagers, embodying the sensitivity of a new generation that seems to resonate in tune with the themes dear to the English artist.

In particular, “Season’s Greetings”, which appeared in Port Talbot, Wales, in December 2018, was chosen as the emblematic image of the exhibition. This work depicts a young man with his arms wide open and his tongue stretched out to taste the snowflakes falling from the sky, but it turns out that these “flakes” are actually ash that is lifted from a burning garbage can. Port Talbot, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the most polluted city in the United Kingdom, thus becomes the dramatic backdrop of this representation.

In addition to these three main walls, the exhibition will include other significant works such as “Heart Boy” and “Robot/Computer Boy”, as well as a selection of unique pieces that will further enrich the exhibition experience, for a total of about one hundred original works.

On the occasion of the seventh centenary of the death of Marco Polo in 1324, the City of Venice has launched a rich calendar of events in collaboration with the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and many other local, national and international associations. These initiatives aim to celebrate the memory of this illustrious Venetian, recognized for having written the first complete and reliable account of the East, thus contributing to the mutual knowledge between Asia and Europe. Support for the celebrations was sanctioned on 29 December with a decree of the Ministry of Culture, signed by Gennaro Sangiuliano at the request of the City and the Venetian University. The National Committee for the celebrations, chaired by the Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro and coordinated by the Dean Tiziana Lippiello, was established to oversee these activities.

The celebrations, together with the Committee, will last for three years, with further initiatives planned in 2025 and 2026. Marco Polo is famous for exploring the lands of the far East, and his epic history as a traveller has created a deep bond with distant cultures and peoples, both by sea and by land. ” The rediscovery of the figure of Marco Polo raises questions of great relevance”, explains the mayor of Venice and president of the Promoting Committee, Luigi Brugnaro. “How can we dialogue with other cultures while preserving our identity? How can we manage relations between peoples and cities? How can we pass on art and work capacity?” The regions and seas explored by Marco Polo during his twenty years of travel are often today at the center of diplomatic tensions. Thanks to the memory of Marco Polo, Venice intends to launch a message of hope, peace and brotherhood, remaining open to new proposals to pursue this goal.

There are also many initiatives in the Ca’ Foscari calendar, which turn into a moment of deep reflection on the life and contribution of Marco Polo, through a compelling scientific and cultural program. Activities at the local level, which include public readings in symbolic places of the city, cultural routes and cycle conferences open to citizens, aim to facilitate the understanding of the complex figure of this man of the Middle Ages and the implications of his journey on the development of Western thought. Theatrical and multimedia projects will also be activated and realized, with workshops focused on the reception of the myth of Marco Polo in the media of the twentieth century: operas, comics, film and television adaptations, as well as creative workshops dedicated to students of primary and secondary schools in Venice, in collaboration with the Regional School Office of Veneto. For the international public, initiatives are planned in collaboration with Rai for the transmission of historical plays on Marco Polo, in order to spread the knowledge of this fascinating figure globally.

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Enjoy an unforgettable artistic activity that will allow you to experience the magic of the Venice Carnival! A master artisan will show you the traditional art of making masks and will also tell you interesting stories!

Your instructor, an experienced decorator, will teach you how to paint and decorate your own mask and will accompany you on every step of the decorating process. You’ll have the opportunity to choose a mask, decorate it however you wish, and then take it home as an exclusive souvenir and memory of this Venetian experience.

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History of a Murano glass family

The exhibition celebrates one hundred years of activity of the NasonMoretti glassworks, one of Murano’s most original and flourishing businesses.
The exhibition opens the archives and shares with the public of the Glass Museum an important history made up of over ten thousand models.
From the very beginning, Nason & Moretti chose the art of the table, reinterpreting it according to contemporary formulas with a profoundly modern flair.

The glassware has become a design landmark since the 1950s, when the Lidia cups won the Compasso d’oro and its presence at the Venice Biennale began. The exhibition will give an account of the most successful objects created by the furnace and collaborations with some of the most important names in design and architecture, without neglecting a section devoted to current events.

Don’t miss a guided tour of the Murano islands to discover the art of glassmaking and participate in a workshop!

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If there is one activity Venetians really love to do after a day’s work, it is to take a trip to the bacari. As you might already know, Spritz is the most popular aperitif in Venice, a cocktail made with prosecco, water and Aperol.

To experience the excitement of a ‘tour of the bacari‘ without having to spend a fortune, simply head to one of these cosy venues. “Bacaro” is the Venetian word referring to those small bars typical of Venice, where you can enjoy the characteristic ‘cicchetti’ (appetisers) and enjoy a good glass of wine at affordable prices.

To experience a day in Venice like a true Venetian, don’t miss the Bacari Tour:

  Bacaro food tour 

During your walking tour you’ll get to taste:

• Spritz: the cornerstone of Venetian aperitivo. Its name originates from ‘spritzen’, an Austrian word referring to the war period practice of watering down wine with sparkling beverages. In the 1920s, the cocktail we know today was invented and the sweet-tasting Aperol was added to sparkling water and wine
• Crostini: toasted artisan bread topped or stuffed with fanciful products of the area, such as ‘sarde in saor’ (sardines with caramelized onions, vinegar pine nuts and risings), cured meats, cheeses, truffle sauces, veggie balls and mixed fried snacks
• Warm dishes: Venetian specialties such as risotto, ‘mozzarella in carrozza’ (a deep-fried mozzarella sandwich), codfish with cornmeal and ‘melanzane alla parmigiana’ (aubergines with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil)
• Espresso coffee and chocolate: conclude your tour experiencing one of the best espressos in town, along with delicious artisan chocolates prepared in the most famous confectionery of Venice

The Museo Correr’s initiative falls close to the centenary of the birth of Carla Accardi who, although she lived in Rome, established a constant link with Venice throughout her life, both individually and professionally. Among other things, in 1948 she made her debut at the Biennale, returning to it in 1964 (personal room introduced in the catalogue by Carla Lonzi), in 1976, in 1988 (personal room) and in 1993, also appearing in the 2022 edition. Works, photos and other documentary material attest to her relationship with the lagoon city including an image from 1952 when, on the occasion of an exhibition at the Galleria del Cavallino, she visited the Guggenheim collection with her husband, the artist Antonio Sanfilippo, and Tancredi Parmeggiani.

The Venetian project curated by Pier Paolo Pancotto, as a homage and not an anthological exhibition, presents, in the form of an installation, a restricted selection of works placed in dialogue with the museum’s historical rooms. This is a small number of works, rarely visible but, despite their particularity, entirely indicative of the artist’s research and, in their own way, summarising his creative path.

OPENING HOURS: daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (last entrance at 5 p.m.).

As part of the Venice 1600 program, to celebrate sixteen centuries since the mythical founding of the city, the Museum of Oriental Art in Venice announces the exhibition JAPANESE TALES. Costumes and Stories from Nō Theatre at the Museum of Oriental Art, curated by the Museum’s director Marta Boscolo Marchi.

From March 26 to July 3, 2022, the exhibition spaces on the third floor of Ca’ Pesaro will host paintings, prints, photos, documents, costumes, musical instruments and masks related to the Nō theatre, one of the most famous Japanese theatrical forms, which made its very first appearance in Europe thanks to the 13th International Theatre Festival of the Venice Biennale in 1954. Most of the items and works on display are part of the heritage of the museum, which mostly consists of Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma’s collection. In addition to these there are loans from private collections as well as a series of unpublished photographs by Fabio Massimo Fioravanti, who has been researching the Nō theatre since 1989.

The exhibition has been realized with the collaboration of scholars from Italian and international universities composing the scientific committee: Monique Arnaud, Marta Boscolo Marchi, Matteo Casari, Andrea Giolai, Diego Pellecchia, Bonaventura Ruperti and Silvia Vesco.

Inaugurated in 1928, the first Italian State Museum to exhibit Asian art, the Museum of Oriental Art in Venice houses Prince Henry of Bourbon-Parma’s considerable collection, which became part of the public patrimony in 1925, and has since been displayed on the top floor of Ca’ Pesaro. Among the works and artefacts in this collection, the Japanese ones from the Edo period (1603 – 1868) stand out – in number and quality – as the most significant in terms of development of Japanese art. The costumes and works on display are also part of this period: paintings, prints and screens show the diffusion of those stories, drawn from poems, legends and tales of the past, which inspired both theatrical texts and iconographies.

The middle section of the exhibition – the richest – will be dedicated to stage costumes purchased by Prince Henry during his long journey around the world between 1887 and 1889, now kept in the museum’s storage and never exhibited to the public all together until now. In the Nō theatre, the stage costumes focus the public’s attention and reveal the nature, age and social class of the characters. The mask also plays a fundamental role – to accompany the costumes. Some of the masks exhibited will be from the collection of Renzo Freschi in Milan.

The musical accompaniment of the Nō is traditionally entrusted to the hayashi, the ensemble that accompanies the singing and acting, the entry and exit of the actors, the dance, and consists of one wind instrument (flute, fue or nōkan) and three percussion instruments: kotsuzumi, ōtsuzumi and taiko. All the hayashi instruments belonging to the Museum collection will be presented in a dedicated section.

The contemporary staging of the dramas will be evoked through the photographic documentation of Fabio Massimo Fioravanti, who has been carrying out work on the Nō theater since 1989. Eighteen unpublished images have been selected from his archive to capture some salient moments of the representation and measured gestures of the actors, not only on the stage but also behind the scenes – in the mirror room called kagami no ma – or along the bridge that leads from this to the scene. In addition to the photos is the docufilm The Flight of the Heron, by Giuliano Cammarata and Alessio Nicastro, dedicated to the work of the master Udaka Michishige.

Finally, a special section will retrace the arrival of the Nō theatre in Europe in1954 which was through a series of shows held in Venice. In fact, that year the city celebrated the 700th anniversary of the birth of Marco Polo and on the occasion of the 13th International Theatre Festival of the Venice Biennale a group of actors from the Kanze and Kita schools marked the history of the performing arts by performing at the Teatro Verde on the Island of San Giorgio between August 6 and 7, 1954. Through the images and documents preserved in the Historical Archive of the Venice Biennale, it will be possible to reconstruct the phases of this very important exchange between Venice and Japan.

JAPANESE TALES. Costumes and Stories from Nō Theatre at the Museum of Oriental Art, promoted and sustained by Direzione regionale Musei Veneto of the Italian Ministry of Culture, avails itself of the patronage of the General Consulate of Japan in Milan, the Fondazione Italia Giappone (Italy-Japan Foundation), the Istituto Giapponese di Cultura in Roma (Japan Foundation in Rome) and the International Noh Institute, and will be documented through a catalogue published by Grafiche Antiga, realized thanks to the support of the Comitato Giapponese Venezia aVvenire, as part of the initiatives of the Association of International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice.

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JAPANESE TALES

Costumes and stories of Nō Theatre at the Museum of Oriental Art

curated by Marta Boscolo Marchi

March 26 – July 3, 2022

Oriental Art of Venice

Ca’ Pesaro – Santa Croce, 2076

Venice

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f. @MAOVenezia

t: @museorientaleVe

Press Office

Giovanni Maria Sgrignuoli

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The Casa dei Tre Oci in Venice presents, from March 11 to October 23, 2022, the largest retrospective ever held – and the first in Italy – dedicated to the Franco-Swiss photographer Sabine Weiss, who passed away at the age of 97 at her home in Paris on 28 December 2021, one of the greatest representatives of French humanist photography along with Robert Doisneau, Willy Ronis, Edouard Boubat, Brassaï, and Izis. 

The exhibition is the first and most important international tribute to her career, with over 200 photographs. Curated by Virginie Chardin, the retrospective is sponsored by the Fondazione di Venezia, realized by Marsilio Arte in collaboration with the Berggruen Institute, and produced by the Sabine Weiss atelier – Laure Delloye-Augustins, with the support of the Jeu de Paume and the International Festival Les Rencontres de la photographie d’Arles, under the high patronate of the Swisserland Consulate general in Milan.

The only woman photographer of the postwar era to have practiced this profession for such a long time and in every photographic genre – from reportage, artists’ portraits, and fashion to ‘street’ photography, with particular attention to children’s faces and her extensive travels around the world, Sabine Weiss, who was able to actively participate in the construction of this exhibition, had opened her personal archives in Paris to tell her extraordinary story and present her work in a comprehensive and structured way.

The shots exhibited at the Tre Oci retrace, along with various publications and magazines of the time, Weiss’s entire career, from her beginnings in 1935 to the 2000s. From the outset, as the photographs of children and passersby in the exhibition testify, Weiss directed her lens on bodies and gestures, immortalizing emotions and feelings, in the spirit of French humanist photography, an approach from which she would never deviate, as can be seen from her words: “To be powerful, a photograph must speak to us about an aspect of the human condition, make us feel the emotion that the photographer felt in the presence of her subject“.

Born Sabine Weber in Saint-Gingolph, Switzerland, on 23 July 1924, later taking the surname of her husband, the American painter Hugh Weiss (Philadelphia, 1925 – Paris, 2007), she approached photography at an early age. She completed her apprenticeship with the Boissonnas, a dynasty of photographers who had been working in Geneva since the end of the 19th century. In 1946, she left Geneva for Paris and became the assistant of Willy Maywald, a German photographer specializing in fashion and portraits. When she married Hugh in 1950, she embarked on a career as an independent photographer. Together, they moved into a small Parisian studio and frequented the postwar art milieu.

One of the core groups of works in the exhibition Sabine Weiss. The Poetry of the Instant tells the story of the 1950s, the period in which the photographer gained international recognition. In 1952, her career took a decisive turn when she joined the Rapho agency on the recommendation of Robert Doisneau. From 1953 onwards, her photographs were published by major international dailies and magazines including Picture Post, Paris Match, Vogue, Le Ore, The New York Times, Life, and Newsweek. In that same year, Weiss participated in the exhibition Post War European Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York (MoMA), and in 1954 the Art Institute of Chicago dedicated an important solo exhibition to her work. In 1955 Edward Steichen chose three of her shots for the historic anthological exhibition The Family of Man at the MoMA.

From 1952 to 1961, Weiss collaborated with photographers such as William Klein, Henry Clarke, and Guy Bourdin, producing some memorable fashion shoots for Vogue, from which the exhibition displays several vivid color prints along with 15 original issues of the legendary magazine.

A section of the exhibition is dedicated to her portraits of painters, sculptors, actors, and musicians. For five years, Hugh Weiss mentored the artist Niki de Saint Phalle, whereas Sabine was close to Annette Giacometti, wife of the great sculptor Alberto. The exhibition features their portraits alongside those of other personalities such as Robert Rauschenberg, Andrè Breton, Anna Karina, Françoise Sagan, Romy Schneider, Ella Fitzgerald, Simone Signoret, and Brigitte Bardot.

A trip to America in 1955 aboard the ocean liner Liberté in the company of her husband Hugh made a strong impression on her, and the shots taken in the streets of New York, teeming with details, from the Bronx and Harlem to Chinatown and Ninth Avenue, were published in The New York Times in a major spread entitled “A Parisienne’s New Yorkers”. The images tell the story of America from a French point of view, with a marked sense of humor, many of which are exhibited for the first time in Italy, on the occasion of the retrospective at the Tre Oci.

The exhibition also reserves ample space for works created in the 1980s and 1990’s, when the artist was in her sixties and seventies, during her travels to Réunion, Portugal, India, Myanmar, Bulgaria, Japan, Poland and Egypt. As the curator VirginieChardin observes, “What strikes the viewer is the sense of isolation and sometimes the tender sadness that emanate from these later photos, where children and old people resemble each other in their shared fragility. A melancholy and sometimes darkly somber quality emerges from these images, contrasting with the photographer’s lively, playful personality, over which time seems to have no hold.”.

In addition to photographs, the exhibition will also feature extracts from documentary films dedicated to Weiss (La Chambre Noire by Claude Fayard, 1965; Sabine Weiss by Jean-Pierre Franey, 2005; My work as a photographer, by StéphanieGrosjean, 2014) in which the photographer recounts, in different periods of her life, her artistic journey, her travel experiences, and the difficulty of being a female photographer. The strength of her curiosity for the world and her joy of seeing and documenting it make Sabine Weiss a symbol of courage and freedom for all women photographers.

The catalogue, published by Marsilio Arte, includes many previously unpublished images, along with texts by Virginie Chardin, curator of the exhibition, and Denis Curti, artistic director of the Casa dei Tre Oci.

Opening hours and Bookings

Open every day from 11am to 7pm, except Tuesdays.

Bookings

To book, write to:
booktreoci@gmail.com
info@treoci.org

Purchase online:
www.ticketone.it
Call Center: 892.101
Groups: 0410980227

Homo Faber Event returns in 2022 for a second edition of the groundbreaking cultural event dedicated to contemporary craftsmanship.

→ 15 exhibition spaces, each dedicated to different aspects of craftsmanship, imagined by a team of world-class designers, curators and architects

→ A special focus on craftspeople from Japan and their time-honoured skills, featuring the work of 12 National Living Treasures, a prestigious designation for its finest master artisans

→ International master artisans and rising stars illustrate the diversity of materials, techniques, origins and skills behind functional everyday objects and outstanding decorative pieces

→ An immersive experience with interactive digital initiatives, exceptional scenography and live artisan demonstrations

→ Homo Faber in Città, a chance to experience craftsmanship across Venice

Homo Faber Event returns to Venice in 2022 to unveil an unprecedented cultural experience of craftsmanship with 15 immersive exhibitions. For its second edition, the event looks to highlight the excellence of master craftsmanship internationally. With a special focus on craftspeople from Japan, it spotlights the country’s venerated craftsmanship traditions and time-honoured skills, and showcases its influence on European creativity and craftsmanship. Together, the exhibition spaces showcase a diverse array of materials and expertise, from traditional skills in danger of being lost to the most cutting-edge contemporary techniques.

The event champions talented artisans from across the globe, their cherished savoir-faire, their unique stories, and the territorial influences that enrich their masterpieces. Some of the exhibition spaces invite visitors to meet the artisans and share moments with them as they work, while others animate craft with their scenography. Visitors have the chance to explore the connection between contemporary craftsmanship and the wider arts and design world. In one exhibition space, the world’s most prestigious luxury brands reveal the craftsmanship behind their pieces; in another, a rendering by director Robert Wilson of an iconic evocation of Puccini’s opera, Madama Butterfly, takes visitors on a theatrical journey. The role of next generation automata will also be explored, while a crafted tea room considers the relationship craftsmanship has with our everyday lives. Elsewhere, artisans and ateliers reveal the essential role of the artisanal touch in creating design pieces.

Guided by a philosophy of sustainability, the event highlights the importance of making crafts viable and safeguarding them for the future, with a strong focus on the next generation through interactive and informative educational activities aimed at different age groups. The Young Ambassador Programme will animate the exhibition spaces with its talented students. Selected from the best applied arts and design schools across Europe, they will be on hand to offer visitors guided tours.

With Europe’s treasure trove as its starting point, the exhibition broadens its horizons to explore the entwining cultural relationship between Europe and Japan. Homo Faber Event 2022 honours the official recognition that Japan gives to its finest masters, designated as keepers of important intangible cultural properties. Visitors can admire the exceptional objects handcrafted by 12 National Living Treasures – exquisite porcelain, a lacquered harp, hand-dyed kimonos and much more. An evocative photography exhibition by Rinko Kawauchi transports visitors behind the scenes into the secret ateliers of these prized master artisans.

The event offers the public a rare opportunity to explore San Giorgio Maggiore island and the magnificent structures of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini in an exhibition that covers nearly 4,000 square metres. Rooms such as the Longhena Library and Gandini swimming pool, usually closed to the public, will open especially on the occasion of the event, transformed into scenes where craft takes centre stage and visitors can partake in the experience.

Beyond the walls of Fondazione Giorgio Cini, the Homo Faber in Città project allows visitors to experience secret Venice, exploring the craftsmanship hidden between the city’s canals through exclusive visits to Venetian artisans’ workshops and ateliers, museums, shops and more. Using the app or website, visitors will be able to create bespoke self-guided craft tours and experience the city in a completely new way.

Key facts and figures

15 exhibitions
22 curators and designers
12 Japanese National Living Treasures
A showcase of over 400 unique objects
Crafted by over 350 designers and artisans
From over 30 countries
Over 60 immersive experiences

List of curators and designers

Jean Blanchaert – Gallerist (Belgium, Italy)
Frédéric Bodet – Curator and porcelain specialist (France)
Stefano Boeri – Architect, urban planner and chairman of the Triennale Milano (Italy)
David Caméo – Museum director and porcelain expert (France)
Judith Clark – Fashion exhibition designer and curator (UK)
Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte (Italy)
De Castelli – Furniture manufacturer (Italy)
Michele De Lucchi – Architect (Italy)
Naoto Fukasawa – Designer (Japan)
Sebastian Herkner – Designer (Germany)
Rinko Kawauchi – Photographer (Japan)
Simon Kidston – Vintage car broker, expert and collector (UK)
Nicolas Le Moigne – Head of the Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship, ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne, (Switzerland)
Tapiwa Matsinde – Curator (UK, Zimbabwe)
Stefano Micelli, Professor, Ca’ Foscari University (Italy)
Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship (Switzerland)
Panerai – Watch manufacturer (Italy)
Alessandro Pedron – Architect and professor (Italy)
Sylvain Roca – Interior designer and scenographer (France)
Tokugo Uchida – Museum director (Japan)
Venini – Glass manufacturer (Italy)
Robert Wilson – Director and visual artist (US)
Zanellato/Bortotto – Design studio (Italy)
The general curator of Homo Faber Event is Alberto Cavalli, Executive Director of the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.

The exhibitions

The Ateliers of Wonders
Curated by Rinko Kawauchi
The stunning photographs, exhibited in the Renaissance-style Cypress Cloister, give visitors a close-up look at the workshops of the National Living Treasures of Japan whose work is presented in the 12 Stone Garden exhibition. The award-winning photographer captures the artisans as they create precious objects using centuries-old techniques, expressing tradition at the cutting edge.

12 Stone Garden
Curated by Naoto Fukasawa and Tokugo Uchida
On display are objects by 12 Japanese National Living Treasures, master artisans whose mastery of traditional skills makes them a valued part of the country’s cultural heritage. Among the exquisite works are kimonos, an urushi lacquered harp and a bamboo flower basket. All the objects are displayed on 12 stone-shaped blocks designed by Naoto Fukasawa.

Masterful Gestures
Curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.
In the magnificent surroundings of the Cenacolo Vestibule, talented craftspeople from France and the United Kingdom work in front of visitors, demonstrating their skills and dexterity and how time-honoured techniques can imbue the present with everlasting beauty. The artisans include four duos drawn from France’s Maîtres d’Art-Élèves programme, presented by the Institut National des Métiers d’Art with the support of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller; and four talented individuals selected by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), a charity of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, which supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople in the United Kingdom. The structures are made by the Italian manufacturer De Castelli.

Italy and Japan: Marvellous Liaisons
Curated by Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte
In homage to the cultural exchange between Italy and Japan, which has always found a fertile breeding ground in Venice, this room invites visitors to delve into a dialogue between the finest Italian craftsmanship and the Japanese culture. On display, a selection of objects handcrafted by Italian master artisans, many designated as “MAM”, the Italian equivalent of National Living Treasures, and inspired by Japanese decorative motifs, techniques, materials and formal approaches.

Mechanical Marvels
Curated by Nicolas Le Moigne. Co-curated by Simon Kidston
Discover the creative results of a vibrant collaboration between Association Mec-Art (Pour la Mécanique d’Art) and ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne. Five interactive installations based on mechanical know-how, designed by the students of the Master of Advanced Studies in Design for Luxury & Craftsmanship, illustrate the different local traditions recently acknowledged by UNESCO and associated with the Swiss town of Sainte-Croix.

Magnae Chartae
Curated by Michele De Lucchi and his studio AMDL CIRCLE
A homage to paper crafting – its relevance, its diversity and the human hands integral to the creative processes. An imaginative array of paper artworks reveals the beauty, creativity and cultural significance of paper craftsmanship. Visitors can witness the skill and artistry of artisans at work in the room, marvel at the immersive installations and allow themselves to discover the joys of writing with a fountain pen, crafted on site by Montblanc artisans.

Porcelain Virtuosity
Curated by David Caméo and Frédéric Bodet
A celebration of contemporary porcelain craftsmanship across Europe and Japan, with work by master ceramicists including Katsuyo Aoki (Japan), Tamsin van Essen (UK) and Ruth Gurvich (France), along with pieces from porcelain manufacturers Meissen, Sèvres, Nymphenburg and Bernardaud.

Pattern of Crafts
Curated by Sebastian Herkner
The award-winning German designer invites artisans and ateliers to interpret the geometric pattern on the square in front of the Basilica of San Giorgio in marble, mosaic, wood marquetry, textiles and other techniques. Their fine work reflects the designer’s signature style while showcasing the unmatched contributions of master artisans to the world of interiors.

Tracing Venice
Curated by De Castelli and Zanellato/Bortotto
A site-specific installation composed of works made of a mosaic of different metals with special finishes, which are a tribute to Venice and to the precious mosaic floors of St. Mark’s Basilica. Zanellato/Bortotto’s research is interpreted by De Castelli to tell the centuries-long story of a city exposed to the elements. These works represent the patient and incessant work carried out over time on the decorations of St. Mark and are an authentic and sincere tribute to the lagoon city, describing its fragility but also its resilience in resisting the erosive force of the sea.

Blossoming Beauty
Curated by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship
In an enchanted fairy tale flower garden envisioned by interior designer and scenographer Sylvain Roca, the Venetian glass manufacturer Venini crafts a collection of glass vases in collaboration with renowned flower designers. They will also design bespoke bouquets to complement these exquisite vases, animated by the idea that “blossoming” is the manifestation of creativity and savoir-faire.

Next of Europe
Curated by Jean Blanchaert and Stefano Boeri
A cabinet of curiosities will showcase an impressive selection of functional and decorative objects crafted by master artisans who embody the finest European craftsmanship, many of whom are dedicated to passing on their savoir-faire to the next generation or who represent the young generation themselves. Visitors can catch a glimpse of European “living treasures” working in the room, a rare opportunity to witness first-hand how these masters create objects of such fine craftsmanship.

The Artisan: a crafted tea room
Curated by Tapiwa Matsinde
Enter an enchanted oasis: bridging the functionality of a tea room with the creativity of a bohemian interior, the space is furnished with iconic pieces by artisans, designers and artists from all over the world, to create a sense of wonder through everyday gestures like sitting, relaxing, and enjoying a cup of tea.

WAITING with peace and darkness
Curated by Robert Wilson
The iconic American director and visual artist shines a light on the Japanese inspiration behind his theatrical productions, notably Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. This evocative exhibition will allow visitors to be immersed in Wilson’s staging genius, as he transforms the former Gandini 1960s swimming pool into a dramatic theatrical stage with his signature use of lighting, sound, costumes, artworks, videos, props and furniture, created in collaboration with master artisans using time-honoured techniques. Featuring video portraits of Japanese choreographer Suzushi Hanayagi.

Details: Genealogies of Ornament
Curated by Judith Clark
Witness the transformative power of craftsmanship in this multi-layered exhibition designed by Clark with Sam Collins, which showcases 15 luxury maisons dedicated to making the finest watches, tailoring, kimonos, jewellery, and more. Precious objects cluster around a demarcated route and act as mini “constellations” that change their pattern depending on where the visitor is standing. Along the route artisans sit “finishing” the objects on display, both true (they are the master artisans from the 15 participating maisons) and performative. Beautifully crafted wall panels and bespoke tiled floors reflect the heritage of each craft and its tools. 

Eilean
Curated by Panerai
Welcome aboard Eilean: step onto a legendary 1936 yacht expertly restored by Italian master artisans. Moored in the Venetian waters off San Giorgio Maggiore island, this beautiful Bermudan ketch, whose name means “Little Island” in Gaelic, was built by boat builders in Scotland. Admire the beauty of her design, the quality of her materials and discover the meticulous craftsmanship of the Italian master artisans who brought her back to life.

Entrance

Homo Faber takes place on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, in the heart of the Venetian lagoon, just five minutes by vaporetto from Piazza San Marco. All useful information here → www.homofaber.com/it/practical-information

Open 10am to 7pm daily from 10 April – 1 May. Buy your tickets on www.homofaber.com/it/tickets, limited tickets available on site.

To access the exhibition spaces it is mandatory to wear a surgical mask, in addition it is necessary to show the reinforced green pass, i.e. a green pass generated following vaccination or recovery.

Precious pictures of Frida Kahlo, taken by Leo Matiz, on display for the first time at the Ar33 Studio of Venice.

From 18th June to 18th August 2016, the Ar33 Studio of Venice, close to Piazza San Marco, will host an extraordinary and unique exhibition: 30 unedited pictures of Frida Kahlo taken by one of the greatest photographers of the XX century, Leo Matiz.

Frida Kahlo, whose life began and ended in Mexico City, is world-renowned as an icon of contemporary art (and of Magic realism indeed), well-known for her sensitive and enigmatic self-portraits and universally celebrated for her great depiction of the female world. Last but not least, she is a powerful symbol of strength and resistance to physical and mental pain.

Leo Matiz, Colombian photographer and artist, who had Venetian origins, met Frida in the 1940s: the result of their friendship is a series of pictures, taken both in black and white and in colours, in which the Mexican painter is portrayed in the quiet and intimate atmosphere of her private life.
These images, captured during a particularly scandalous period of her life, reveal Frida’s quiet attitude in front of the camera. The photos by Leo Matiz correspond to Frida’s artistic and personal maturity and to the acceptance of her physical fragilities and her husband’s (Diego Rivera) evidence of infidelity.

In 1998, Leo Matiz reminded of the first time he met Frida and Diego: “I met up with Diego Rivera several times and it’s curious how many things we now know about Frida Kahlo, were unknown to the people at that time. To me, she had a quite sad life. Diego had a strong personality and Frida was a fragile woman condemned to disability for the whole life. She was full of corsets and similar objects. Actually, she was invalid and her suffering was evident. She used art to release herself”.

The exhibition, organized by the Ar33 Studio of Venice and Leo Matiz Foundation, will give us the opportunity to look inside an extraordinary moment of both Leo and Frida’s lives. In the studio we can also admire photographic works of Arsen Revazov, the owner of this incredible studio gallery in the heart of Venice.

Opening hours
Everyday from 10:30 am to 07:30 pm

A thrilling exhibition in Venice celebrates one of the greatest fashion photographer of all time: Helmut Newton.

From 7 April 2016, nearly 200 pictures, both black and white and color, shooted by the German-Australian photographer Helmut Newton, are displayed in the unique venue of La Casa dei Tre Oci, an art house in Venice, in Giudecca island.
Considered an undisputed icon of fashion photography, Helmut Newton is the star attraction of this precious exhibition – wanted by the widow of the great photographer, Alice Spring – that shows off pictures from White Women, Sleepless Nights and Big Nudes: three famous collections released in the end of Seventies, conceived and developed by Newton himself and nowadays considered legendary books.

White women section collects 84 photos from the eponymous book of 1976 and they introduce the concept of nude and eroticism in fashion. They are purely female nude portraits – which remained his essential charachteristic and deeply influenced other photographers and filmmakers.

Sleepless nights section takes over the book in 1978 and exhibits 69 photographs that have been published in fashion magazines – Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire and Elle above all. The female nude is still dominant, but fashion is almost an excuse to tell something more personal: the concept of fashion photography is related to crime scenes.

The last section is named after the 1981 book Big nudes, in which 41 shots in black and white become giant portraits: a new dimension for human portraits that became really popular thanks to Newton’s work.

Opening: everyday, except Tuesday, from 10.00 to 19.00

Tickets: € 12 (full prize) – € 10 (students under 26) – € 8 (groups)

How to reach La Casa dei Tre Oci: line 2, from Zattere to Zitelle boat stop.

Discover the fascinating Venetian Villas with several events, shows, tasting itineraries and theatrical performances of Venetian Villas Festival 2015.

In summer 2015 the Venetian Villas Festival comes back again! Venetian Villas Festival is a great event that offers the opportunity to live a fascinating journey appreciating wine and food excellences of the Veneto region. More than 50 events, meetings, workshops and exceptional soirées are organised in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia region offering the visitor a very rich programme of events to choose.

Who wants to know something more about wine cultivation and the historical and landscape heritage should not miss the event SORSI D’AUTORE (Author’s sips). Until July 12th the event proposes many appointments of taste and culture with some special guests. Among them: Enrico Mentana, Corrado Formigli, Giuseppe Cruciani and Carlo Petrini, “guru” of the slow-food movement.

The website Ville Venete Tour presents the first online catalogue that gathers all the accessible villas. It has been realised by the Venetian Villas Association and offers the user to discover the extraordinary heritage of the Venetian Villas: more than 150 villas are opened to the public for guided tours, events and hospitality.

The opening of the villas gives the opportunity to promote a journey through breath-taking and unique places.

The full programme is available here.

A great exhibition in homage to Mario Merz at the Gallerie dell’Accademia in Venice

From May 8th to September 20th 2015, in conjunction with the 56th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale and with Milan Expo 2015, Venice presents the exhibition “Mario Merz – Unreal City”. It is the first exhibition of Merz’s work to be held in any public institution in Italy since the artist’s death and it brings contemporary art to the new spaces of the Gallerie dell’Accademia.

Unreal City is also conceived as the artist’s ideal homage to Venice, the unreal city par excellence, a metaphysical and surreal place where nature and culture combine themselves perfectly.

In the artist’s works of art natural materials come together with urban and industrial elements. There’s a deep affinity between the artistic research of Mario Merz and the issues proposed by Expo 2015 in Milan, “Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life”, so that it’s the perfect setting to propose the extraordinary modernity of Merz’s poetic message.

WORKS
From the 60s Mario Merz started to use neon lights, which have become the heart of some of his most iconic works of art: from the permanent installation like the Fibonacci series, on the Mole Antoneliana’s dome, and the igloo in Turin, to the big spiral of Naple’s metro station and the light installations of the central station of Zurich and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

Two rooms are dedicated to Merz’s art, starting from a selection of works of his graphic research, which represents an important part of his artistic life. The exhibition culminates In in his large scale environmental installations In the following room you will have the chance to admire Senza titolo (Luoghi senza strada) (1994), an igloo made of slate, which shows the employment of different materials, and the Wax Spiral (1970-1981) that propose again the theme of the Fibonacci series. a progression in which each number is the sum of the two before. The artist interpreted the numerical sequence as the emblem of the dynamics associated with the growth processes in the organic world. After some other masterworks of big size (like “Fulmine in Tazza” and “La natura è l’equilibrio della spirale”), the exhibition path ends in the courtyard of the Gallerie dell’Accademia with the big 8 igloo of 74 steps created in 1992.

OPENING TIMES
Monday from 8.15 am to 2 pm
Tuesday – Sunday from 8.15 am to 6.30 pm
The ticket office closes at 6.30 pm

ADMISSION (exhibition + museum)
Full price € 15,00
Reduced price € 12,00

From April 12th Palazzo Grassi presents a great retrospective dedicated to Martial Raysse.

Until the end of November 2015 the Pinault Foundation, which is located in Palazzo Grassi in Venice, presents MARTIAL RAYSSE 2015-1958 / 1958-2015, the first retrospective of the French artist being organised outside France after a long time.

The exhibition path takes an approach to Martial Raysse‘s work that is not chronological but thematic. Through more than 300 works among paintings, sculptures, video or neon line installations, the visitor can explore the colourful artistic world of one of the most significant contemporary French artists, Martial Raysse, from the 50s to the most recent developments.  The exhibition covers every aspect of the artist’s work: his small sculptures, which range from simple figures to games played with himself, the drawing as work of preparation, his films that show his libertarian ideas, and also the paintings that represent his most accomplished work. Moreover, the path proposes some works that can be seen as self-portraits, reflecting the needs of the artist and the loneliness he has to live in order to move forward in his research.

As the curator Caroline Burgeois said, Martial Raysse is one of the few artists for whom tackling the history of “great” art head on is what really matters, and this has been since the outset of his career. Therefore, there are renaissance references – like in “Portrait of the Ancient Friend” (1963) or in “Via Velazquez” (2003) or again in the drawing “Ramonalisa” (1993) – but also the paramours that are beloved in French paintings, the banal aspects of daily life and a lot of women portraits. All is presented by distance, through humor or by trying to copy the masters, in accordance with the principle expressed by Eugenio Garin that “to imitate is to become aware of oneself”.

The exhibition also reveals the great amount of effort for his work, that want to propose a sort of philosophy of life. Through his radical use of colour and treatment freedom, Raysse want to show us the beauty of the world, the need for each of us to be involved in it, the responsibility that each of us has for the others and for the community.

Opened every day from 10 am to 7 pm (closed on Tuesday)
The ticket office closes at 6 pm

Full ticket
€ 15,00 Palazzo Grassi OR Punta della Dogana
€ 20,00 Palazzo Grassi AND Punta della Dogana

The extraordinary jewel collection created by some great artists on display at VITRARIA Glass +A Museum in Venice

On the occasion of the exhibition Precious – From Picasso to Jeff Koons, the VITRARIA Glass + A Museum presents more than 160 jewels belonging to the collection Velvet and created by some of the most important contemporary artists like Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, Damien Hirst, Lucio Fontana and Anish Kapoor.

The collection gather together amazing works of art that are often unknown to the public. After stopping in Roubaix, New York, Athens, Valencia, Miami and Seoul, the exhibition give the chance also to the Italian public to admire the less known face of more than one hundred names of modern and contemporary art.

The incredible collection have been gathered over the years by Diane Venet, Parisian collector of origin and New Yorker by adoption, wife of the renowned artist Bernar Venet. It will be possible to appreciate it in the Vitraria Glass + A Museum, the new museum in the heart of Venice that opened its doors in September 2014. The museum is characterized by an inter-disciplinary approach where “Glass” expresses the thematic objective that focuses on the glass through the contamination of this element with art, design, architecture, new technologies and fashion. “A +” mean the aim of the museum to expand its research, affording an exhibition area and presenting itself as a meeting and trade place for artists, designers and the creative industry.

Each jewel is conceived as a wearable work of art, it holds a story and was created by the artists thinking about a person in particular. That’s perhaps this intimate aspect that make them even more fascinating.

The double meaning of the exhibition starts right from the title: Precious. It refers to very rare and precious works of art but also to objects that hold, since their creation, a strong symbolic and personal content. For example you may think about of the pebbles picked up on the beach and then painted by Picasso for Dora Maar, or the pieces of bone on which he engraved the portrait of Marie-Thérèse.

Tickets
Full price: 8 €
Reduced price: 5€

Opening times
Every day from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm
Opened on Saturday evenings from February 21st 2015
Closed on Monday

At Fondazione Bevilacqua of Venice the first Italian exhibition of photographs by Hiroshi Sugimoto.

On the occasion of the 14th international Architecture Exhibition the Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa in Venice presents the new solo exhibition of Hiroshi Sugimoto. Until October 12th 2014 you will have the exclusive chance to admire 11 architectural photographs by the Japanese artist of famous international museums andwell-known monuments: from the Johnson Wax Building by Frank Lloyd Wright to the Einstein Tower by Erich Mendelsohn, to two of the most important sites of contemporary art in the world, the London Serpentine Gallery and the New York Museum of Modern Art.

Hiroshi Sugimoto, considered to be one of the most authoritative protagonists of the contemporary photography scene, chooses an evocative approach in his works, dissolving the boundaries of time and memory and investigating the very essence of places. The result are fascinating studies often focused on the interplay between art, history, science and religion, combining Eastern philosophies with various elements of Western culture.

The selection of works on display in the elegant spaces of Palazzetto Tito in Venice continues the major research started in the mid-’90s with the Architecture series, a rich set of dedicated to the icons of world architecture, including the Eiffel Tower, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the famous church by Le Corbusier, Notre-Dame-du-Haut.

Opening hours
10.30-17.30
Closed on Monday and Tuesday

Tickets
full price: 5€
reduced price: 3 €

The famous French film composer Alexandre Desplat President of the International Jury  for the Competition of the 71st Venice International Film Festival

For the first time in a Venice International Film Festival edition the President of the Jury will be a film composer: Alexandre Desplat. The jury is also composed of other 9 personalities from the fields of cinema and culture from different countries. The internationally renowned composer, who have created famous film scores such as the one for The Queen, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fantastic Mr. Fox,The King’s Speech, Argo, and Philomena, will award the Golden Lion for Best Film and the other official prizes.

Alexandre Desplat is a passionate cinephile, whose extraordinary artistic sensitivity is sustained by a deep knowledge of cinema, of its history, of its language. Moreover, has won a Golden Globe, three Césars, two European Film Awards, a Silver Bear, a Bafta and a Grammy. He has collaborated with directors such as Stephen Frears, Roman Polanski, Terrence Malick, Tom Hooper, Jacques Audiard, Kathryn Bigelow, David Fincher, George Clooney, Ang Lee, Ben Affleck, David Yates, Wes Anderson, and Matteo Garrone.

On the closing night of the coming 71st Venice Film Festival he will award the following official prizes to the feature-length films in Competition:

•  Golden Lion for Best Film
•  Silver Lion for Best Director
•  Grand Jury Prize
•  Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
•  Coppa Volpi for Best Actress
•  Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress
•  Award for Best Screenplay
•  Special Jury Prize