Giudecca Art District Launches in Venice During 2019 Biennale

A new permanent art district, GAD – Giudecca Art District, will open on the Venetian island of Giudecca on May 9, 2019, coinciding with the 58th Venice Biennale. Founded by Pier Paolo Scelsi and Valentina Gioia Levy, GAD is a network of 11 galleries, including the new Giudecca Art District Gallery, centered in a former shipyard. The district will feature over 60 artists from more than 30 countries across 20 temporary exhibitions. Notable participants include Yoko Ono, Kendell Geers, Kazuko Miyamoto, and Moataz Nasr, alongside emerging artists. The initiative builds on Giudecca's history of contemporary art, such as Marina Abramović's 1976 performance and 2017 exhibition at Zuecca Project Space, and Ai Weiwei's 2013 Biennale show. Scelsi, who previously directed One Contemporary Art, aims to create a year-round cultural hub independent of the Biennale. The district operates on two levels: curated exhibitions and independent spaces that receive promotional support. Programming includes projects like Aleksandra Karpowicz's "Body As Home" installation with October! Collective. Spaces involved range from historic sites like Palladio's Chiesa delle Zitelle to industrial venues like Officine800. A collaboration with Venice Design Week is planned for October 2019. The district also partners with Marco Polo bookstore for publications.