Venice's artistic landscape will be enriched this year with a remarkable exhibition that seamlessly blends contemporary creative expression with architectural heritage. From April 17 to November 22, 2025, Galerie Negropontes, in partnership with Heritage Asset Management, presents "Architectural Landscapes" at Carlo Scarpa's iconic Palazzina Masieri. This thoughtfully curated exhibition transforms the historic building into a dynamic stage where art and architecture converge in celebration of the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale.
Gianluca Pacchioni, Vulnerable, 2021. Sculpture in cast bronze, concrete and stainless steel. One of a kind, H 37.4 x 11.8 x D 11.8 in, height with pedestal 68.8 in / Gianluca Pacchioni, Rébellion, 2024. Sculpture in cast bronze, iron, stainless steel and concrete. One off, H 98.48 x L 31.49 x P 23.62 in
An Imaginary Garden Reimagined
When you enter the ground floor of the Palazzina, you will discover an imaginative recreation of the "Giardino Masieri" — a concept originally proposed by Venetian architect Duilio Torres in 1954. Torres envisioned this space as an "architectural pause" defined by subtraction rather than addition, in contrast to Frank Lloyd Wright's more imposing proposals for the Grand Canal.
This historical inspiration comes to life through Gianluca Pacchioni's five monumental bronze sculptures, which rise dramatically from reinforced concrete blocks facing the Grand Canal. Their powerful presence creates a dialogue with a lush tapestry by the Pinton manufactory, based on a cartoon by painter Roger Mühl. Together, these elements form an evocative landscape where materiality finds harmony between artwork and setting, uncovering a forgotten chapter of the building's rich history.
Pacchioni's sculptures speak to abstract desires and organic intentions, inviting you into a complex sensory world where beauty stands as a counterbalance to control and authority.
A Dialogue Between Glass and Architecture
The exhibition continues on the first floor with a delicate interplay between the materiality of glass and Carlo Scarpa's architectural legacy. Here, you will encounter the glass sculptures of artist duo Perrin & Perrin, whose works depicting urban fragments and city plots are showcased alongside presentations of Scarpa's distinctive geometries and graphics.
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of transparency, opacity, and fragility, Perrin & Perrin craft intricate miniature architectural compositions that achieve powerful resonance within a textured installation inspired by Scarpa's motifs. Their sculptures establish a visual continuity with the master architect's meticulous delineations, encouraging thoughtful consideration of how landscapes—both natural and designed—dynamically engage with their contexts.
This section serves as a crossroads where architecture, design, and urbanity converge, transforming materials into a universal language infused with emotion and memory.
Maison Pinton 1980, Sans titre, Rug - Wool tapestry, from Roger Mühl, signature lower right, numbered 2/6, H 96.8 x L 129.1 in
Perrin & Perrin, Oblique, 2021, “Build-in-Glass“ Glass Sculpture. H 6.4 x L 4.6 x D 1.9 in / Perrin & Perrin, Point du jour 3, 2021, sculpture en verre « Build-in-Glass ». H 9.6 x L 7 x D 2.5 in
A Rotating Exhibition Program
The second floor of the Palazzina will host multiple exhibitions throughout the duration of "Architectural Landscapes." Initially, visitors will find a series of photographs by artist Garo Minassian illustrating the concept of the imaginary garden.
From May to July, a collaboration with IUAV will present "Scarpa-Zanon, Dialoghi," celebrating the remarkable partnership between Carlo Scarpa and the Zanon craftsmen—Gino, Paolo, and Francesco. This chance collaboration yielded some of architecture's most iconic details, found in masterpieces like the Antonio Canova Gypsotheca in Possagno and the Brion funerary complex.
In September, coinciding with the Venice Design Biennale and Venice Glass Week, the Palazzina will showcase a new series of installations featuring exquisite design objects and artist-designed jewelry.
About Galerie Negropontes
Founded by Sophie Negropontes in 2012, Galerie Negropontes bridges contemporary art and design from its location between the Louvre and Pinault Collection in Paris. The gallery represents diverse artists working across various mediums and recently expanded to Venice with the restoration of Palazzina Masieri, reopened in March 2024 as a center for art and learning.
Architectural Landscapes
Dates: April 17 – November 22, 2025
Location: Galerie Negropontes, Palazzina Masieri, Venice
Featured Artists: Gianluca Pacchioni, Pinton, and Perrin & Perrin
Special Programs:
April-November: Photographs by Garo Minassian
May-July: "Scarpa-Zanon, Dialoghi" in collaboration with IUAV
September: Design objects and artist-designed jewelry during Venice Design Biennale and Venice Glass Week
