How to tell one's roots with contemporary art: the exhibition of Toni Venzo and Martalar at Ca' Rezzonico, Venice

In Venice, from January 26 to April 1, 2019, the Museo di Ca’ Rezzonico and Palazzo Ferro Fini are hosting the exhibition 4444 Acqua e Fuoco, an exhibition project conceived by sculptors Toni Venzo (Bassano del Grappa, 1965) and Marco Martalar (Asiago, 1971), which tells through the language of contemporary art the ancient and current story of the bond with one’s roots and the land to which one belongs: in the case of the two artists from Veneto, the Altopiano dei Sette Comuni plateau and the territory of the Brenta Valley. Two territories united since ancient times by the 4444 steps of the Calà del Sasso, the longest natural staircase inItaly, understood in the project as a symbolic connection. It is an itinerant project, because it speaks of a journey: that of the tree that from the forests of the Plateau descended from the Calà del Sasso, on the ancient wood roads, and reached the lagoon and the City of Venice in the flow of the currents of the Brenta River.

This exhibition, which originated in the Altipiano dei Sette Comuni Plateau and passed through Bassano before reaching Venice, also tells us about our history, ancient crafts, and an identity, as a tribute to the mountains of Veneto, its forests and its people. Venzo and Martalar’s contemporary sculptures, with abstract and essential forms, in an interplay of volumes and workmanship of the wooden material, inhabit ancient spaces, entertaining a dialogue made up of history and messages of a past time that gave humus and nourishment to a creative spirit also present today.

The juxtaposition of ancient and contemporary art is a stimulus for reflection on the natural evolution of artistic creation. Marco Martalar, belonging to the ancient ethnic group of the Cimbrian people, still present today in the highland areas, sculpts with the strength, energy and mysterious atmosphere of myths and legends that belong to the woods and gives his works to fire, as if through a pagan rite they could acquire a new vitality. Toni Venzo lives where the Brenta flows, a river that crosses a deep valley between peaks and forests and then reaches the opening of the sea in the Venetian littoral, the harmonious and slow flow of water is present in the fluid lines of his creations. A different and personal way of interpreting matter is evident in the works of the two artists, which is expressed in the juxtaposition of the elements Water and Fire.

The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between the Fondazione Musei Civici and the Veneto Regional Council, and is divided into two sections, in the Museum of Ca’ Rezzonico and in the rooms of Palazzo Ferro Fini. The exhibition opens from January 26 to April 1 and can be visited during the opening hours of the Museo di Ca’ Rezzonico: until March 31 every day except Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from April 1 every day except Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry one hour earlier). Access with museum ticket: full 10 euros, reduced 7.50 euros (Children 6 to 14 years old, students 15 to 25 years old, accompanying persons - maximum 2 - of groups of children or students, visitors over 65 years old, staff of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, Rolling Venice Card holders, holders of ISIC - International Student Identity Card), free for residents and those born in the Municipality of Venice, children from 0 to 5 years old, handicapped persons with accompanying person, licensed tour guides accompanying groups or individual visitors, for each group of at least 15 people, 1 free admission (only with reservation), accompanying teachers of school groups, up to a maximum of 2 per group, ICOM members, ordinary MUVE partners, Civil Service volunteers, MUVE Friend Card holders, members of the“Friends of Venetian Museums and Monuments” association, Art Pass Venice Foundation and Venetian Heritage Foundation holders.

For all information you can call +39 041 2410100, send an email to carezzonico@fmcvenezia.it or visit carezzonico.visitmuve.it.

How to tell one's roots with contemporary art: the exhibition of Toni Venzo and Martalar at Ca' Rezzonico, Venice

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