Don’t want hit-and-run tourism in Venice: Alberta Pane
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One doesn’t need an excuse to visit Venice. But the ongoing Biennale Architettura 2018 — 16th International Architecture Exhibition (through November 25) is a good enough reason if you need one. Given the popularity of Venice as a tourist destination, itDon’t want hit-and-run tourism in Venice: Alberta Pane
One doesn’t need an excuse to visit Venice. But the ongoing Biennale Architettura 2018 — 16th International Architecture Exhibition (through November 25) is a good enough reason if you need one. Given the popularity of Venice as a tourist destination, it isn’t a surprise that there are as many ‘Top Things to do in Venice’ lists as the searches you launch for this query. We, therefore, speak to a local — gallerist Alberta Pane of her eponymous Venetian gallery — to understand how to make the best of a trip to Venice without doing the usual touristy things. She also cautions against overdoing the touristy gig in Venice — it’s a World Heritage Site and the immense pressure of tourism, especially when the visitors are not mindful of its delicate ecosystem, can actually reduce it to just another misused heritage. Excerpts from the interview:How long have you lived in Venice and what do you like best about being a resident of this city?I was born in Venice and I lived here until I was in my 20s, when I moved to Paris, where I lived for 18 years and opened my gallery.Two years ago, I came back to Venice with the precise idea of opening the second venue of my gallery, because I believe that in Venice there is great potential for a contemporary art gallery, since everyone stops by and there is also the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art and many new Foundations, museums and now a network of galleries that promote art throughout the year.And I like everything about being a resident here!What are the places in Venice that you would recommend all visitors to the city to not miss, even if they are coming for a short trip?Well, that’s hard to say, everything is surprising in Venice! For sure I would recommend a visit to the Venetian civic museums (such as Ca’ Pesaro, Palazzo Fortuny, Museo Correr, Palazzo Mocenigo, Ca’ Rezzonico...), which provide an opportunity to discover fantastic pieces of art in the context of magnificent ancient Venetian palaces. I would also suggest looking for art galleries and foundations, and visiting the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Le Gallerie dell’Accademia. Moreover, I find the many paintings scattered in the beautiful Venetian churches fascinating. And get lost in the calli — Venetian narrow streets — that’s the best part!What are your favorite restaurants in the city that you would recommend to tourists as well?I really like Osteria Da Codroma, in calle dei Guardiani, for the very good food, nice people and the authentic Venetian atmosphere far from the most touristic part of the city. I also love the food of Il Vecio Fritolin. Even if the location is not as good as what you eat, the chef has studied in France and you can definitely taste it in his delicious dishes. Palazzina Grassi too is a place I would recommend.Any local dish that you would recommend visitors must try out while in Venice? And the best place to sample it?Definitely cuttlefish with polenta (seppie con polenta in Italian) or spaghetti with clams at Osteria Da Codroma, which, by the way, is just around my gallery.Where do you dash off to when you want a quick coffee and/or snack?I go to Campo Santa Margherita, where there are a lot of bars, tables and chairs to drink a relaxing coffee. I favor Caffe Rosso, their croissants are the best in the city!What are the best bars of Venice to hang out at after a long day?I really like that part of Venice called Fondamenta della Misericordia. Vino Vero is the best bar to hang out at, drinking good wine and chilling out with friends in a very friendly atmosphere, with a fantastic surrounding of course.Where should one head to attend a truly authentic Venice art party, during the biennale?I could not recommend one place specifically. What I love about the biennale is that a lot of Venetian Palaces, often closed to the public, are open. So, I would recommend going in the Palazzi Veneziani to be immersed in the truly authentic atmosphere of the city.Any local activity that one must participate in to get a feel of local Venice?Going to the market of Rialto to buy fresh and excellent food; going for a ‘Bacaro Tour’ with friends, that is to say to go to different bacari (typical Venetian sort of small restaurants where you can drink a glass of wine and eat the famous cicchetti); and just hang out in the Venetian streets and campi: residents spend a lot of their time here.What are the places a little outside of Venice that one can check out in a day’s trip?All the Isles of the Venetian Laguna are worth a daily trip.What would you do if you had a free morning or afternoon?I’d go to the isle of la Giudecca, just a vaporetto stop from the Zattere.Where in the city would you go to catch up on a book or to catch up with a friend?I’d go to Fujiyama, in calle lunga San Barnaba, a cozy tearoom with a hidden internal garden; the perfect place to relax with a friend or read a book quietly. And their cakes are really good too!Where would you advise visitors to go shopping?In the boutiques of Venetian artisans or in the small shops of design and clothing scattered throughout Venice. There is a lot of creativity in the city and it is important to invest on them... Absolute ban on buying knick-knacks and souvenirs for tourists...What’s the best souvenir to take away from Venice? And what are the best places to buy it?In my opinion, the best souvenir of Venice would be the catalogue of Palazzo Fortuny, one of the most interesting museums of the city. Or a nice book bought at Linea d’Acqua, Luca Zentilini’s ancient bookshop.What's the best place to buy art in Venice?Well, definitely my gallery in Calle dei Guardiani! It’s a former carpenter’s shop of 350 square meters, recently renovated and transformed into an evocative exhibition place for Contemporary art. And from my colleagues of the Venice Galleries View!What museums or galleries would you recommend one must definitely visit in the city, even if short on time?I would recommend the Contemporary art galleries of the Venice Galleries View. It’s an initiative made up of research galleries in order to support and enhance Contemporary art in Venice. You’ll find the project map with all the information about the galleries and their exhibitions all around Venice, in hotels and selected other places.Any walking trail you would recommend visitors to undertake to check out the city?Starting from Piazzale Roma, then I’d suggest go to Dorsoduro, reach the Zattere and Punta della dogana. I’d then go towards the Accademia, I’ll cross the Accademia Bridge, arriving in Campo Santo Stefano. By evening, I’d arrive at Piazza S. Marco, after 7 pm, definitely.Vaporetto or gondola, what do you prefer to absorb the sights and sounds of Venice?I’d rather go on foot, which is the best way to absorb the authentic atmosphere of Venice.What is the most overrated thing about Venice that is recommended by all and sundry?Its postcard facade, Venice, on the other hand, is a vibrant city that wants to continue to be one. The Venetians suffer a lot at this time for mass tourism that degrades it without bringing anything. It is very important to respect Venice when you come, to take the time to see it and not to practice a hit-and-run tourism. Venice is a jewel city, fragile, beautiful and a World Heritage Site.Anything that visitors to Venice must be cautious about?Make sure not to fall into the Venetian canals, not to hinder the Venetian people.Anything unusual or any hidden surprises about Venice that guide books do not mention?The best way to experience Venice is from a boat in those canals where there’s no riverbank and no docks. It is a sort of surreal experience: it seems to be in a labyrinth, to be in another world.http://www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 17.0px Georgia; color: #d81e00} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 32.0px Arial; color: #232323} span.s1 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} span.s2 {font-kerning: none} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px 'Times New Roman'} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} Read more