Tracing Venice

A tribute to the ancient mosaic floors of St Mark’s Basilica

Discover the centuries-old story of a city exposed to the elements

The iconic St Mark’s Basilica in Venice has weathered many storms over the years. As one of the most exposed areas of the lagoon city, it has been deeply affected by the rising tides and the 'aqua alta' phenomenon, which has resulted in the deterioration of its 12th century mosaic floor. This imaginative exhibition evokes the weathering of these mosaics over the centuries through specially made metal artworks whose imperfections tell the story of a city exposed to the elements. A tribute to the resilience of Venice and the patient and incessant restoration work carried out on its treasures over the centuries.

Journey through the history of St Mark’s mosaic traditions

Experience the fascinating results of a creative collaboration between design studio Zanellato/Bortotto and metal projects factory De Castelli. State-of-the-art technology, outstanding craftsmanship and an experimental approach combine in a series of extraordinary metal artworks. Different geometric shapes, colours and textures create the form of a mosaic, while special finishes including oxidation, erosion and brushwork techniques convey the changes and imperfections in the flooring of St Mark’s Basilica caused by water and time. Taken as a whole, these evocative artworks remind us of Venice’s fragility and of the great importance of preserving and protecting this unique lagoon city.

Curated by

Zanellato/Bortotto
Giorgia Zanellato and Daniele Bortotto founded their studio in 2013. Their first project, the Acqua Alta collection, pays homage to the city of Venice. This moment marked the beginning of their longstanding, constant research into the relationship between places and the passing of time, a connection analysed through the reinterpretation of traditional artisanal techniques. The studio’s work includes product design, limited editions for galleries, art direction and interior design.
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De Castelli
Founded in 2003 by Albino Celato and heir of a long tradition in metal manufacturing, De Castelli is now internationally well-known for introducing the language of design, mixing craftsmanship and advanced technologies. Pieces of furniture resulting from collaborations with famous designers contributed to raising the profile of the brand, together with new surface solutions that enhance the characteristics of metals, born from on-going studies and research on materials. Recently, the company has focused on collaborations with international architects and on partnerships with famous companies that work in the design field. Some have led to prestigious projects and special works for the Biennale di Architettura in Venice and Milano Expo.
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