Paulo Nazareth and Moeata Keil Simpson Reimagine History at Punta della Dogana

Punta della Dogana, the historic customs house in Venice's Dorsoduro district, is being reinterpreted by artists Paulo Nazareth and Moeata Keil Simpson. The building, once a maritime customs point between the Grand Canal and Giudecca Canal, retains its rotating bronze sculpture by Bernardo Falconi (1620-1696), depicting two men supporting a globe with the goddess Fortuna as "Occasio" atop. The artists engage with the site's history of trade and customs, reflecting on contemporary geopolitical shifts, instability, and cultural transformations. Nazareth, born in Borun Nak, Vale do Rio Doce, Brazil, and Simpson, a New Zealand-born artist of Samoan and European descent, present works that challenge historical narratives. The exhibition runs at Punta della Dogana, part of the Pinault Collection, in Venice.