Art Park for 58th Venice Biennale of Art

To mark the 58th Venice Biennale of Art, Belmond Hotel Cipriani transforms its historic grounds and famous dining spaces into a thrilling new art park and studio, showcasing internationally- acclaimed sculptors, artists and galleries. 

To celebrate the hotel’s 60-year heritage for attracting world-renowned artists and creatives, guests who visit over the season can enjoy painting lessons in the beautiful Casanova Gardens, explore the island’s newly imagined ‘Giudecca Art District’ and immerse in thought-provoking artworks on surrealism, nature and the human form. 

From the mythological meaning of Igor Mitoraj’s bronze sculpture overlooking the lagoon and the marvel of Pablo Atchugarry’s marble figures placed in the gardens to the modern illustrations of Mauro Bergonzoli’s eighteenth-century Venice: Hotel Cipriani perfectly embraces the complexities of Biennale’s 2019 theme “May You Live In Interesting Times”. 

ALFRESCO ARTISTRY 

Under the pergola of the Casanova Gardens, inspired by Florence’s artisan boutiques and studios, the Guarnieri brothers offer guests the opportunity to participate in the aptly named Alfresco Art Class: a series of individual or group painting lessons to learn ancient painting techniques in a modern context. Roberto and Rodolfo Guarnieri inaugurated the Iguarnieri gallery in 1994 and their works are now exhibited in public and private collections around the world. One of their most masterful pieces, Dream of Regatta, is the first artwork to greet guests off the water and depicts brightly coloured boat sails celebrating Venice’s nautical heritage and intrinsic link to the lagoon. 

GIUDECCA ART DISTRICT – A MEETING OF MINDS 

Founded by two young and dynamic curators, Pier Paolo Scelsi, General Director and Valentina Gioia Levy, Artistic Director, the Giudecca Art District is a network of art professionals who have come together to showcase contemporary works in hidden corners and restored spaces of the Giudecca island. 

This year, guests can stroll out from the hotel to explore the many independent projects, exhibitions and cultural events that are planned around the theme: Take Care of Your GardenCultivating a New Humanism, which juxtaposes emerging contemporary artists with big names such as Yoko Ono, Kendell Geers, Kazuko Miyamoto, Moataz Nasr. 

A GALLERY OF GREATS 

In partnership with the Contini Gallery, a famous Venetian collection of galleries, the work of four artists, Igor Mitoraj, Pablo Atchugarry, Julio Larraz and Enzo Fiore work has been thoughtfully curated and displayed around the hotel to inspire creativity and conversation. 

Huge canvases by Enzo Fiore, placed either side of the library off the lobby, show two perspectives of the Grand Canal made using natural materials such as moss, leaves, roots, earth, cement, stones and insects. By the entrance to Michelin-starred Oro Restaurant, Julio Larraz’s canvas entitled Flower Storm, Over Sappho’s House represents the life of the artist and makes reference to Surrealism and Spanish painting techniques of the 17th century. 

THE FINER DETAILS 

All the masterpieces exhibited at Belmond Hotel Cipriani can be purchased. For information and activity reservations call: +39 041 2408505 or email [email protected] 

Prices at Belmond Hotel Cipriani start from 1,350 Euros /£1,171 or approximately USD1,500 based on a Garden Room with Balcony, including breakfast, subject to time of booking, and can be made at belmond.com

Restaurant reservations for lunch and dinner can be made through the Concierge at +39 041 2408505. 

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