Tomorrow at Punta della Dogan opened a new exhibition devoted to contemporary art

French billionaire Francois Pinault (Francois Pinault), owns one of the most impressive collections of contemporary art in the world, expanding its Venetian possession. In addition to the already existing gallery in the Palazzo Grassi on 6 June will open its doors to visitors to the new exhibition complex Punta della Dogan (Punta della Dogana), located on the cape in front of the square of San Marco. This event is timed to the start of the 53rd Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art.

In 2001, Francois Pinault left eldest son Francois-Henri (Francois-Henri) at the helm of his business empire and decided to more closely engage its own collection of works of art. In his collection there were already 2.5 thousand works by renowned contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons (Jeff Koons), Cindy Sherman (Cindy Sherman) Sai Tvombli (Cy Twombly), Takashi Murakami (Takashi Murakami), the brothers Chapman (Chapman brothers), as well as rising stars of world art scene, among them Matthew Day Jackson (Matthew Day Jackson), Adel Abdessemed (Adel Abdessemed), Neyt Louman (Nate Lowman) and Kai Althoff (Kai Althoff). But Pino is a problem: it had to be somewhere to place their fund and exhibit objects from its collection. Initially, it chose the area near Paris, where factories were located above Reno. After several years of unsuccessful negotiations with the French authorities, Pino surrendered. However, in 2005, when he learned that Venetian XVIII century Palazzo Grassi is looking for a new owner, he will not hesitate to avail himself of this offer.

Opening of a new exhibition center was held in spring 2006. Visitors, particularly where there have been immaculately prepared for the exhibition of Italian Renaissance architecture, were shocked that saw: the floating island of the middle channel floating inflatable dog work of Jeff Koons. However, at the Palazzo Grassi Pino did not stop: to present his collection, he was needed more space. So he decided to fight for the right property at the Punta della Dogan Foundation Peggy Guggunhaym and won: in spring 2007, the city made a choice in his favor, and do not progadali.

Pino was able to assemble a team of experts and to invest sufficient funds to quickly restore the building. At the work needed just 18 months, despite the many difficulties encountered. Punta della Dogan, took a sharp triangular point on the Venetian island of Dorsoduro. Around him barely enough space to build a forest, not to mention the deployment of 120 workstations. Therefore, building the town had to develop directly on the water in the temporary floating structures. Even the buffet had hoisted on the piles.

manage projects well-known Japanese architect Tadao Ando (Tadao Ando), collaborated with Pino for the third time. He admitted that the unique history of Punta della Dogan both inspired him and created some difficulties. «I was struck by his simple and rational structure, - he explained. - I studied the history of the building and some old drawings that helped me better understand the structure and figure out what changes were made over the centuries». After agreeing on every step with the authorities of Venice, Ando cleared the initial space by removing all the internal partitions and walls, built over the last several hundred years. The architect and his team added a concrete floor and made the building of water - a very valuable quality in the city, where floods often occur. Restored and sculptural composition - Atlanta, holding the globe, crowned by a statue of Fortune, - decorating the tower of Punta della Dogan. In general, the cost of the project was approximately 20 million Euro. But now, François Pinault, who owns and the Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogan, became the owner of the largest in Venice exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art.

The first exhibit, which opens at both sites, called «Map of the workshop: the artists from the collection of Francois Pinault». As the title, it deals with artists workshops. The exhibition is without regard to chronology, but aims to combine the two exhibition spaces. «The atmosphere in Grassi and Dogan are very different, but visitors will intuitively feel the continuity of the exposition», - explained the curator of the exhibition, Alison Dzhindzheras (Alison Gingeras).

Especially for the opening of Pinot ordered six new works - mostly of monumental sculptures. British artist Mark Hendfort (Mark Handforth) produced sculpture «Man on the Moon», which will be included in the permanent exhibition of Punta della Dogan. Another work has created an American master Ray Charles (Charles Ray). Its shape and has kept the name secret, but the curators hope that it will become the new symbol of Venice, such as lions in the square of San Marco.

Material prepared Onuchin Catherine, AI

Source: guardian.co.uk , bloomberg.com , artinvestment.ru