EXHIBITION REVIEW
CONTEMPORARY VENICE – 16TH EDITION
January 23 – February 04, 2025
Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, Venice

ITSLIQUID Group is pleased to announce the great success of the 16th edition of CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2025, an international exhibition of photography, painting, video art, installation/sculpture and performance art, which took place in Venice at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello from January 23 until February 04, 2025.

Click here to read more about the press release
Click here to see the photo full reportage

The 16th edition of CONTEMPORARY VENICE analyzed the relationship between body and space, and the hybridization between identities and cultural/physical/social/urban settings in contemporary times, through two main sections: MIXING IDENTITIES and FUTURE LANDSCAPES.

MIXING IDENTITIES analyzed the hidden parts of our identities, through an immersive experience inside the fascinating universe of the complex labyrinths of our consciousness. The human body is a changing system that connects us with other bodies and spaces to perceive the surrounding reality; a strong communication system with its language and infinite ways of expression.

FUTURE LANDSCAPES are abstract, infinite and conceptual, associated with a sense of freedom and infinite extension. Primarily experienced with the mind, spaces redefine their limits and borders, transforming surfaces into an open flow of pure ideas. This section focuses on the concept of the borders and the structures between body, mind and soul, the human identity and the city, the space and the ground.

Starting with the FUTURE LANDSCAPE section, this was greatly enriched by the tryptic by Swiss artist Christopher Muller: “Vignobles à Banyuls Banyuls-sur-mer” is a series of futuristic landscapes on the interplay between nature and art. Inspired by the terraced vineyards that stretch from the slopes of the Albères massif down to the Mediterranean, Mueller’s work goes beyond the simple depiction of a landscape. The colours and shapes of nature become dynamic spaces for a new abstract perspective, transforming nature into something that goes beyond what is visible. Above all, it is a powerful demonstration of how art unfolds into something new to rethink space, time, and perception.

Speaking of imaginary landscapes, fellow Swiss artist and sculptor Gianluca Stricker envisioned a series of 5 sculptures inspired by lunary surfaces and shapes. Particularly, “Men in the Moon” stands out as the representation of pure satisfaction, found in the moon with its silence, visual simplicity, and its distance from a world that sometimes seems nothing but trouble. Although indebted to the moonscape for its colours and composition, the works manage to convey themes and ideas inspired by true earthly life: thanks to the suspended dimension beyond the globe, Stricker can have viewers focus on their own suspended states.

Moving back to painting, the two canvases by Nané Tuman keep focusing on suspension from time and space: the two small works depict common people blessed by beacons of light. Painting is all about light and how it shapes visual perception: colours, which retain a sense of figurativeness, point to abstract painting while the overall effect is a snapshot taken when subjects were deeply lost in their thoughts.

Yang Yo Kim from Korea took inspiration from her Japanese origins: deeply influenced by her childhood memories and imbued with a sense of motherhood which stems from a dreamy world – not surprisingly, Japanese comics and mangas were milestones in the figurative imagery cultivated by the artist – Yang Yo Kim’s three paintings drew viewers into a peacefully represented universe, where colours are completely devoid of dramatic passions and desires; quietness, peace, even a sense of nostalgia pervade such works and point to the childish dimension of human identity.

Palazzo Albrizzi Capello, nestled among the enchanting Venetian canals, creates a striking contrast between past and present, creating a direct connection to contemporary art. In this setting, works such as BOTELLAS IT by Spanish painter Magdalena Manzaneque find the perfect backdrop. Her intricate still life, inspired by liquid containers and decanters typically found in pubs and bars, plays with various colours, shines, and designs that compete to captivate the viewer. Behind their shiny and cheerful appearance lies a substance that can be comforting at times and detrimental to others. While alcohol is forbidden in some cultures and almost revered in others, the bottles themselves mesmerize the painter’s eye, inviting a rediscovery of art in the everyday universe.

Last but not least, Turkish painter Günsel Demirci Dinler presented three captivating canvases, deeply rooted in her paper-cutting art practice. Her work begins with an exploration of symbolic roots as a powerful form of representation. Emerging from monochromatic surfaces, Dinler’s intricate patterns convey a sense of movement and dynamism, reflecting a deep connection to tradition: these works derive their unique visual essence from imagery that extends beyond the confines of Western art. Patterns and motifs take centre stage, abandoning strict realistic figurativeness to explore the evolution of identities and the creation of new, imagined landscapes.

organized by ITSLIQUID Group
in collaboration with ACIT Venice – Italian-German Cultural Association | GOETHE INSTITUT
curator Luca Curci
project manager Giulia Tassi
project coordinator Amaride Ferrante
artists coordinator Ilaria Parlato
collaborators Yadigar Aksoy, Maria Arban, Anna D’Addabbo, Valentina Minniti, Annachiara Recchia, Vittoria Vallebella
graphic designers Marina Caracciolo, Gemma Laera
supported by Gemeinde Glarus

VENUE
Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello
Associazione Culturale Italo-Tedesca (ACIT), Cannaregio 4118, Venice
Opening hours | Monday – Friday . 09.30 AM – 05.30 PM

---

---

ABOUT US

ITSLIQUID is a web-based information platform, founded in 2001 by Luca Curci, dedicated to the worldwide distribution of information about calls for entries, exhibitions and events at some of the world’s leading art galleries, museums and foundations selected. ITSLIQUID has already built a readership of more than 250.000 qualified subscribers. Among them are architects, designers, artists, collectors, art critics, curators, dealers, and other personalities of the International art, architecture and design world. It provides advertising services, press office services for events and projects, articles and specials published on the website, and media partnership services.

During the last 20 years, ITSLIQUID Group has become a cultural hub for creatives, exhibition spaces, and art lovers. Among our international partners, Art Now Fair, Art Vancouver, Design Tokyo, INDEX Qatar, INDEX Saudi, The Big 5 Construct Dubai, The Big 5 Construct Qatar, Photo LA Los Angeles and international magazines like Art Style. ITSLIQUID Group supports some of the most important no-profit organizations, like UNFCCC – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, SSCS – Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, One Tree Planted, The Ocean CleanUp and Plastic Oceans, with the goal to increase public awareness about environmental issues. Click here to find out more.

ITSLIQUID GROUP includes a section dedicated to the organization of international art events, managing exhibitions of painting, photography, video art, installation and performance; it organizes solo and collective shows, art residencies and international contests. Its object is to use new technologies to globalize the language of art, and to connect artists working in every part of the world.

ITSLIQUID Group manages a variety of art spaces all over the world; among them Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice and different historical buildings, ELEMENTS Contemporary Art Space in London city centre and other different partners worldwide. Since its beginning, the group has organized more than 250 events all around the world, involving more than 5.000 artists, in more than 60 international venues in Italy, the USA, Canada, the UK, Spain, France, etc. Most of the last events have been realized in museums (CCCB – Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona in Spain, NCCA – National Center for Contemporary Arts in Moscow, etc.), galleries and private foundations.

ITSLIQUID is based on fluidity, motion, connection and accessibility. Making things easy to do. Welcome.

---

OUR LOCATION

Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello is one of the most known palaces of the Renaissance in Venice. It is a historical building dating back to the 16th century, and it has been owned by several noble Venetian families, as demonstrated by the frescoed ceilings, the artistic stuccos and the fine furniture that enriches its rooms. The Palace welcomes visitors with its beautiful private garden on the ground floor, and then it gathers the guests in its large first-floor salons, in which past and present dialogue together. The restored Old Masters’ frescoes and the contemporary art masterpieces that are periodically shown in the exhibitions hosted here, make Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello the perfect location for the balance between old and new, between ancient environment and contemporary art, architecture and design.

Today the building is managed by ACIT Venice – the Italian-German Cultural Association – which is considered one of the most important intercultural associations in Europe. Thanks to the ACIT unceasing cultural activity, Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello has nowadays frequent collaborations with the Goethe Institute and with other local and international institutions, maintaining its ancient reputation. Because of these relations, it presents a huge program of memorable art exhibitions, conferences, congresses and concerts. Among the last institutional exhibitions, is its participation in the 58th Venice Biennale with the Guatemala pavilion, the Dominican Republic pavilion and the Grenada pavilion. ITSLIQUID Group already had the pleasure to hold some festivals and exhibitions in Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello, such as MORPHOS Festival and FUTURE IDENTITIES Festival, both in 2014.