V-A-C Foundation's Teresa Iarocci Mavica on Venice, DK Zattere, and GES-2

Teresa Iarocci Mavica, director of V-A-C Foundation, discusses the foundation's decade-long presence in Venice, its innovative cultural programs, and upcoming projects. Founded in 2009 in Moscow by Leonid Mikhelson and Mavica, V-A-C chose Venice for its unique confluence of cultures. The foundation's DK Zattere program, launched last winter and recurring annually, aims to engage local residents beyond tourist season by creating a participatory space where the public co-produce cultural activities. Mavica emphasizes culture's role in addressing political and social issues, citing the current exhibition 'Time, Forward!' which explores themes of social bonds, feminism, and urban context through alternative events like walks and workshops. Two recent projects, Sudest 1401 and Laguna Viva, involve a collaboration with UK collective Assemble and Here We Are Venice to create a garden with lagoon tanks and a café-restaurant offering diverse culinary traditions. The foundation's first Russian venue, GES-2, a former power plant redesigned by Renzo Piano, will open in 2020 as a cultural production center, with details announced in October. Mavica stresses that all programs extend beyond exhibition spaces, fostering direct public participation and community building.