V—A—C Foundation was established in Moscow in 2009 by Leonid Mikhelson and Teresa Iarocci Mavica, who has been Director of the Foundation since its inception.
V—A—C produces a new culture together with artists and audiences alike. It is a platform for open discussion aimed at redefining the contemporary landscape. Working with local communities, V—A—C promotes its exhibition, publishing, performative and learning programmes beyond all disciplinary boundaries and thus constantly resets the coordinates for dialogue within new global geography. This methodology is applied in all V—A—C initiatives, taking place in its Venetian space, through international, cross-institutional partnerships and in its future home for arts and culture in Moscow, GES-2.
Zattere is V—A—C Foundation’s Venetian headquarters launched in spring 2017. This newly renovated historic palazzo, situated on Zattere overlooking the Canale della Giudecca, can accommodate exhibitions, events and residencies. The Foundation commissioned local architect Alessandro Pedron to restore and renovate the building, transforming it into a new centre for contemporary culture for the city of Venice. The entire space covers 2,000 sq metres over four levels, half of which is exhibition space. In spring 2018, the Foundation launched two new long-term projects at Zattere: sudest 1401 restaurant is a sociocultural project where food and company are the basis for bringing people together and encouraging dialogue. V—A—C strives for openness, equality and exchange of knowledge and ideas by putting different cultures in conversation in its main programme, and aims to reflect this in the kitchen by combining traditions and flavours. Laguna Viva (Living Lagoon) is a saltmarsh garden housed in two large tanks covered in a tiled landscape that runs from the canal into the Palazzo. Inspired by the Venetian Lagoon and traditional Venetian floors, the project has been developed by the London based architecture, design and art collective Assemble with We Are Here Venice and Granby Workshop.
