Scuola Piccola Zattere Opens in Venice Amid Controversy Over Funding
On November 22-23, 2024, Venice welcomed Scuola Piccola Zattere, a nonprofit dedicated to contemporary art research and education. Established by Victoria Mikhelson (b. 1992) and led artistically by Irene Calderoni, the organization is situated in the previous location of the V-A-C Foundation. Founded in 2009 by Leonid Mikhelson and Teresa Iarocci Mavica, V-A-C functioned from 2017 until its closure in 2022, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Victoria, who is not subject to European sanctions, inherited GES-2 from her father, who holds a 2.3% share in Novatek and owns the GES-2 House of Culture. The venue, redesigned by Fosbury Architecture, will launch the One Year Score program, running from November 2024 to November 2025, featuring various artists and initial residency sessions.
Key facts
- Scuola Piccola Zattere opened in Venice on November 22-23, 2024.
- Founder: Victoria Mikhelson (b. 1992).
- Artistic director: Irene Calderoni, formerly chief curator at Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo.
- The space was previously the Venice venue of V-A-C Foundation, created by Victoria's father Leonid Mikhelson.
- V-A-C operated at Palazzo Zattere from 2017 to 2022, ceasing activities after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Leonid Mikhelson is owner of Novatek and an associate of Vladimir Putin.
- Victoria Mikhelson received GES-2 and a 2.3% stake in Novatek from her father.
- Funding for Scuola Piccola is stated to be separate from Leonid Mikhelson's activities.
- The space was redesigned by Fosbury Architecture.
- One Year Score program runs from November 2024 to November 2025.
- Inaugural exhibition includes Ludovica Carbotta, Tomaso De Luca, Maryam Hoseini, Reto Pulfer, Anna Witt, Agnieszka Mastalerz.
- Residents: Andrea Canepa, Edoardo Lazzari, Diana Anselmo.
Entities
Artists
- Ludovica Carbotta
- Tomaso De Luca
- Maryam Hoseini
- Reto Pulfer
- Anna Witt
- Agnieszka Mastalerz
- Andrea Canepa
- Edoardo Lazzari
- Diana Anselmo
Institutions
- Scuola Piccola Zattere
- V-A-C Foundation
- Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
- Novatek
- GES-2
- GES-2 House of Culture
- Udarnik
- Fosbury Architecture
- Linkiesta
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Palazzo Zattere
- Moscow
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Turin
- Switzerland
- Europe