TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Procuratie Vecchie, one of Venice's most storied landmarks, has opened its doors to the public for the first time in five centuries. Stretching along one side of the iconic St. Mark’s Square, the building now houses the San Marco Arts Centre (SMAC) on its second floor, a new hub for modern and contemporary art.
While Venice is already renowned as a global center for contemporary art, especially with its prestigious international biennale, SMAC is introducing a fresh concept to the city’s cultural scene.
It aims to function as a kunsthalle, a flexible space for rotating exhibitions that are not confined to a specific curatorial direction or theme.
David Gramazio, one of SMAC’s founders, explained that the launch of the art center coincides with the 2025 Architecture Biennale. Its opening features two solo exhibitions centered on architecture. One is a retrospective of the Austrian-Australian architect Harry Seidler, often referred to as the "high priest of modernism."
The other is an international debut by Jung Youngsun, a pioneering landscape architect who became the first Korean woman to earn a degree in land development engineering.
"We want to be flexible, dynamic and reactive to what’s happening in the world. That’s why SMAC isn’t limiting itself to modern art, but will also exhibit architecture, fashion, photography, and film," said David, as quoted by Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The Legacy of Procuratie Vecchie
Originally built in the early 16th century to serve as the residence of the Republic of Venice’s public prosecutors, the Procuratie Vecchie later became the headquarters of the Italian insurance company Generali. The firm initiated a major restoration effort led by renowned architect and Pritzker Prize laureate David Chipperfield.
In 2022, the building’s third floor was opened to visitors and became the home of The Human Safety Net, the company’s philanthropic foundation.
The restoration preserved many historic elements, including Napoleon-era wall paintings and traditional Venetian terrazzo flooring. The 10,793-square-foot area features 16 galleries aligned along a naturally lit corridor, running parallel to the square’s northern edge.
From its windows, visitors are treated to sweeping views of the iconic piazza, with St. Mark’s Basilica and its bell tower on one side and the majestic Procuratie Nuove arcade on the other.
The inauguration of SMAC within this historic structure is part of a broader initiative to establish Venice as a year-round cultural destination. With this new space, art lovers now have reason to visit the city beyond the biennale season.
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