Every May, Venice blossoms into the hot boiling hub of the international artistic scenario. The time when the lagoon’s warm breeze unravels through the city’s narrow alleys and the pinkish light at sunset brights up the sky over such floating land, both the Giardini and the Arsenale ’s pavilions open their gates to hordes of affectionate and curious visitors. Because in Venice art was never an opinion, but rather and act of resistance.
A few days from now, the 57th Venice Biennale is going to inaugurate and show off an over-enthusiast title, Viva Arte Viva. According to Christine Macel, curator of the 57th International Art Exhibition, “Viva Arte Viva is an exclamation, a passionate outcry for art and the state of the artist.” So the city is now ready to welcome loads of visitors from May 13th to November 26th, 2017, by showcasing plenty of cutting-edge artworks and installations within the walls of the Biennale’s most iconic sites: the huge Arsenale, and the lush Napoleonic Gardini.
Blinking an eye to all genuine art and design-addicts, Venice provides two more unmissable events: Treasure From the Wreck of the Unbelievable, the solo show by Damien Hirst, and Ettore Sottsass: il vetro.
1. Treasure From the Wreck of the Unbelievable
Open until December 3rd, 2017, the exhibition spans over two distintive locations: Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana. The British artist/provocateur has imagined a legendary shipwreck happened somewhere in the Indian Ocean back in the 2nd century AD, thus showcasing the whole load of hyper-precious, sunken down artworks damaged by sea waters: a marine underworld made of hundreds of objects in marble, gold and bronze, crystal, jade and malachite – Greek heroes, Hindu gods, pop icons and leviathans. As they say, when fiction overcomes reality.
2. Ettore Sottsass: il vetro
Nestled on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Fondazione Cini stages the amazing glass creations by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass. The exhibition (open until July 30th, 2017) gathers more than 200 vases/sculptures sharing lurid colours alongside equally architectural and organic forms. All works date back to 1980’s onwards, and result from the well-established partnership between Sottsass and Murano glassmaker, Toso. These one-of-a-kind glass totems definitely radiate the architect’s creative approach built on keen irony and wild experimentation.
Just forget the exhibitions and site-specific installations for a moment, and treat yourselves with a yummy break: with the help of local web platform Veneto Secrets, we picked 7 locations far from any well-worn touristic route to make the most of the city and its lagoon.
Check out our tips on 3 great accommodations and 4 top restaurants!
1. Casa Flora
Casa Flora is the coolest hotel in town: a smart & chic address specifically conceived by hotelier Gioele Romanelli to welcome guests in an ancient Venetian aristocrat townhouse now remodelled from a contemporary perspective and boasting all modern comforts and additional services: fluid spaces, charming design and ad hoc built-in furniture. Also, Casa Flora is a social hub proudly hosting any sort of cultural event.
2. Ca’ Nigra
The private garden of local boutique hotel Ca’ Nigra is one of the city’s most exclusive hideouts thanks to its sweeping views of the Grand Canal. After a major preservative restoration, the hotel still maintains its original neo-gothic atmosphere, and houses Venice’s one and only rose garden within its very premises: hurry up, the blossoming season is now at its best!
Sina Centurion Palace
The recently inaugurated Sina Centurion Palaces is located in the artsy Dorsoduro sestiere, barely a stone’s throw away from the Salute basilica and right where the Grand Canal sneaks in the San Marco’s lagoon. The hotel is defined by a bright chromatic palette and unique furnishing selection mixing contemporary design pieces with works by local artisan masters.
4. Glam
If you are looking for a Michelin-Starred culinary experience, then head over to Glam, a luxury restaurant set inside the 16th century Palazzo Vernier and owned by LDC Group. Prestigious Italian chef Enrico Bartolini (who also runs the kitchen at MUDEC restaurant in Milan) is in charge of the menu, while interior decor reveals a refined collection of Italian antiques.
5. Osteria San Marco
When it comes to Osteria San Marco (located a few steps away from the legendary plaza of the same name), modernity is the name of the game. Four friends with a shared love for food and travelling have decided to turn this 1940’s tavern into an industrial-inspired space filled with cozy and essential vibes. Exposed brick walls and wooden beams, raw concrete surfaces and chairs made of steel and leather upholstery are here meant to make innovation out of tradition.
6. Venissa Wine Resort
Venissa Wine Resort is a gourmet estate facing the ancient Church of St. Michael the Archangel, in the island of Mazzorbo. It comprises Ristorante Venissa, Osteria contemporanea and 13 design studio apartments gathered under the name of Casa Burano. Here, exclusive furniture coming from brands of the likes of Driade, FontanaArte, Moroso and Arclinea goes hand in hand with stunning natural surroundings, with the old 14th century bell tower left to steal the stage. All seasonal menus employ strictly locally sourced ingredients, in the name of timeless authenticity.
7. AMO
The glammest venue of all is AMO, the latest culinary temple run by the Alajmo family. Set inside the freshly restored T Fondaco dei Tedeschi luxury department store designed by Rem Koolhaas , the restaurants boasts interiors by Philippe Starck, who created an eclectic environment dotted with half-circle sofas with tall backseat and black&white optical upholstery, brass bucket seats and a selection of Superleggere by Gio Ponti.
Venice and its dreamlike lagoon won’t never stop amaze us.
