Venezia Incanta

Venice always has a certain charm, even during high water. I traveled to La Serenissima for the event “Venezia Incanta,” organized by Radisson Collection Hotel- Palazzo Nani, the latest opening by the American group founded in 1909 in Minneapolis by Edna Dickerson.

Before delving into the event, it’s worth saying a few words about the hotel, Radisson Collection Hotel- Palazzo Nani, which stands on the Cannaregio Canal, one of Venice’s most picturesque spots. The hotel spans three floors and preserves Venetian elegance, showcased in both the marble facade and the beautiful frescoes adorning the shared spaces on the piano nobile and second floor. Its 52 rooms and suites combine historic elements with contemporary design, while the third-floor gym and restaurant with an internal courtyard are true gems within the Venetian hospitality landscape.

Now, let’s dive into the heart of the event, “Venezia Incanta,” on display until December 31, 2024, which pays homage to Venetian craftsmanship and the age-old culture of La Serenissima.

The event has two focal points: the first is the exhibition “STOP more FEEL more,” a bi-personal showcase featuring artists Jingge Dong (originally Chinese but a Venetian by adoption) and Matilde Sambo (a true Venetian), curated by Niccolò Giacomazzi. The title of the exhibition, STOP more FEEL more, is evocative and expresses an invitation to slow down and savor emotions, proposing a journey that unites painting and sculpture in a harmonious dialogue with the historic architecture of Radisson Collection - Palazzo Nani.

The second focus is the desire to allow us guests to explore hidden places, cradles of Venetian craftsmanship, such as Orsoni, the only working furnace still active in the historic center of Venice. Since 1888, this historic Venetian furnace has produced mosaics in 24-carat gold leaf, colored golds, and Venetian enamels, using the same artisanal techniques and offering an extraordinary palette of over 3,500 different shades.

Speaking of the exhibition, I found Matilde's works quite bold (but perhaps that was the intention?), as they portray a raw and material vision of humanity and its nature. In particular, the sculpture "Distrazione al pericolo" (2024), a long trail of acacia thorns rising from the floor to the ceiling, and the studies on cicadas’ molts through lost-wax bronze microcasting are pieces that undoubtedly leave a mark on the viewer.

More delicate, on the other hand, is Jingge Dong, who has explored the sense of home through paintings that have a muted and hazy quality, much like the feelings that each of us, especially the artist, has on this topic.

For Dong, home, understood as "a physical means of isolation from the outside world”, implies “not only physical safety; it is also a guarantee for the family, a fundamental prerequisite for marriage and having children. In the Chinese culture in which I live, home is synonymous with habitation: having a house is equivalent to possessing a hearth."

Moreover, the artist adds, "In my works, I often paint familiar indoor spaces and use symbols that represent children (like toys) to reflect this reality. At the same time, I employ images such as that of the dried and seedless pomegranate to symbolize the issue of low birth rates in China. This strongly contrasts with the traditional Chinese conception that values family continuity. In a context of insecurity for the youth, the conflict between tradition and modernity, between concepts and time, makes the future uncertain."

Finally, to complete this immersive experience, one of the event’s main partner, Acqua di Parma, presented the 'Art de la Table' collection, enriched by a water jug and glasses designed by milanese designer Gala Rotelli and made in Venice together with a vase and a Murano glass fragrance bottle designed by India Mahdavi, offering a unique combination of art, design, and sensory experience.