Venice Unveiled: An Insider’s Guide to the Biennale’s Final Days

by Elena Diachenko

Venice, ever enchanting, evolves into a playground for the culturally curious as the Biennale winds down. Elena Diachenko, a Venice insider since 2018 and contributor to IRMASWORLD, reveals the city’s best-kept secrets. From cutting-edge galleries hidden within ancient palazzos to the chicest design boutiques, her Venice is where the old world effortlessly collides with the new. Perfectly curated for those seeking the unconventional, her guide unlocks the essence of this timeless city during its most inspiring days.

 

Where to shop, drink, and play on the final days of the Biennale according to an insider

Based in the lagoon since 2018, Elena Diachenko is in the know of the coolest new venues in the city – partly obliged by her journalistic work for the likes of Vogue and ELLE Décor, but mostly due to her endless passion for constantly rediscovering her adoptive city. She’s sure that Venice is brewing with young talents turning the place into a contemporary laboratory of art, design, fashion, and culture, and she is eager to promote this new inspiring movement worldwide – as she does with her bespoke tours as @veneziadinicchia. She shared her address book for those visiting La Serenissima during the Art Biennale at irmasworld.

Touring hip galleries

Wentrup Gallery

Berlin-based Wentrup Gallery has opened a new outpost in Venice, choosing a stunning palazzo with a garden that once belonged to the legendary Venetian designer Giuliana Camerino. On October 25, the gallery will inaugurate two solo exhibitions—one by David Renggli and the other by Cécile Guettier.
Barbati Gallery, located in Campo Santo Stefano, remains a local favourite, with a loyal crowd that never misses an opening. Until November 19, the gallery is showcasing abstract works by Adam Alessi, created specifically for the iconic Palazzo Lezze. A notable newcomer to Venice’s vibrant art and design scene is Planète Lalanne, a comprehensive exhibition of works by the renowned French duo Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, set in the historic Palazzo Rota Ivancich.

 

Putting some cultural events on the list

Venice Fashion Week

Venice Fashion Week offers a unique opportunity for anyone to discover sustainable local designers and artisans. This fall, the fair will host an event on October 22 at the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, featuring nine creatives, including the sartorial eveningwear brand Angie Power, based between London and Venice, ceramics by Gaetano Di Gregorio, velvet slippers and kimonos by Teo D’Amar, and naturally dyed fabrics by Alessandra Micolucci. The organizers also offer insider walking tours—Open Ateliers—this time showcasing historical locations along San Marco’s Via XX Marzo luxury street.

 

Teatrino Orch

Palazzo Grassi, one of the city’s leading contemporary museums, is hosting its annual cultural program, in dialogue with the current exhibition by Julie Mehretu. Explore the events offering free participation here and choose from film screenings, open talks, performances, concerts, and workshops.

 

Shopping for contemporary design

If you’re after ceramics, head to Giudecca, where Adele Stefanelli’s showroom and atelier showcase her minimalist pastel bowls, plates, and moon jars, which I adore. For contemporary handmade furniture, Lunardelli is unbeatable—especially their wooden chairs with cushions upholstered in Bevilacqua’s luxurious velvets. Starting on October 22, they are hosting the Convivium exhibition as part of the Venice Fashion Week.

Adele Stefanelli

Laguna B is the hottest spot for cult-favorite, brightly colored, chunky Murano glasses, and their shop also features an excellent selection of books on art, design, and society.

Lunardelli @by Veneziadinicchia

For chic Murano tableware and interior decor, Giberto’s new outpost on the Rialto Bridge is a must-visit, offering elegant vases, jugs, and glasses. Yali Glass is another top choice for refined interior glassware. And for hip international niche scents, Carlotta’s perfumery is my beloved spot.

Yali Glasses

 

By appointment only

The iconic Fortuny textile factory has opened its headquarters in a historic palazzo on Giudecca, with a showroom featuring a collaboration with Parisian interior designer Chahan Minassian. The space showcases vintage and custom furniture upholstered in Fortuny’s signature textiles, alongside custom Murano glass coffee tables with Art Deco influences, and artistic objects—creating an atmosphere that is truly enchanting and well worth booking an appointment to experience.

France Thierard

 

France Thierard

In Campo San Samuele, French writer France Thierard (check out her book Venice As I Like It!) welcomes exclusive guests to her beautiful apartment overlooking the Grand Canal, showcasing the latest Murano glass tumblers of her design.

 

Drinking and eating well

Gathering in contemporary hotels is a growing trend among both locals and travelers. You’ll often see stylish Venetians enjoying coffee or lunch on the sunny terrace of Palazzo Experimental at Zattere or sipping cocktails at the Experimental Cocktail Club on a late Friday night. For a chic yet relaxed dinner with unbeatable views of the Grand Canal, Venice Venice Hotel is the perfect spot. For a more casual but equally delightful gastronomic experience, Osteria Giorgione, where the chef fuses Venetian and Japanese flavors, is a local favorite. Another fresh venue to explore is Pietra Rossa in Castello, ideal for an al fresco aperitivo or a carefully curated dinner. For those willing to venture to a secluded island, Salso on Certosa is a must-visit, offering fresh seafood with a modern twist. For a Michelin-starred experience or an island wine tasting, head straight to Venissa on Burano.
Natural wine has swiftly become the drink of choice, shaping the city’s drinking scene. Top spots include Vino Vero and La Sete in Cannaregio, Ozio in Castello, La Bottiglia and Stappo in Santa Croce, Adriatico Mar in Dorsoduro, Ai Do Leoni in San Marco (don’t miss their cocktails and cicchetti made with km0 ingredients!).