Casa dei Tre Oci in Venice not for sale, says president

Emanuela Bassetti, president of Civita Tre Venezie and member of the general council of Fondazione di Venezia, has firmly denied rumors that the Casa dei Tre Oci on Giudecca Island might be sold to rescue the financially troubled M9 museum in Mestre. The speculation, which sparked outrage from Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro and widespread public support under the slogan "giù le mani dai Tre Oci," originated from a property valuation document requested by the foundation. Bassetti stated that no sale is under consideration and that a complex organizational and financial recovery plan for M9 is being developed with an advisor. The Casa dei Tre Oci, a photography exhibition space, plans to reopen soon with the ongoing show "Jacques Henri Lartigue. L'invenzione della felicità," offering visitors free podcasts narrated by artistic director Denis Curti instead of traditional audio guides. The venue also considers online workshops and portfolio readings. Bassetti emphasized that the Casa dei Tre Oci is a cultural project, not a company, and has built strong ties with local institutions like Ca' Foscari University and IUAV, as well as a loyal audience. Losing it would mean losing a national reference point for photography and international exhibitions.