As Venetian spring becomes summer, SALONI chatted with the four Arrivabene sisters—Viola, Vera, Maddalena, and Mafalda—to discuss their artful life, and the Biennale Arte 2024, staged in their home city. The 60th iteration of the famed international art exhibition, entitled Strangers Everywhere, is curated by Adriano Pedrosa and runs from 20 April to 24 November at the Giardini and Arsenale venues.

What are your must-see exhibits at this year’s Biennale, and why do they stand out for you?

Cosmic Garden at Salone Verde

The exhibition originates from the long-standing collaboration between Indian artists Madhvi Parekh, Manu Parekh, and Karishma Swali, Creative Director of the Chanakya School of Craft in Mumbai—a non-profit institution dedicated to promoting women’s social empowerment through craftsmanship.

Chu Teh Chun at Fondazione Cini

Organised with the support of the Chu Teh-Chun Foundation and curated by art historian Matthieu Poirier, this is the most significant exhibition in recent years dedicated to the Franco-Chinese painter, who was one of the leading figures in abstract art. The location of this exhibition on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore at Fondazione Cini is the most special place.

Monte di Pietà at Fondazione Prada

Christoph Büchel explores the themes of need, detachment, pain, debt, and human greed at the beautiful Palazzo Ca ’Corner della Regina. You have the feeling of being back in the era when the institutions of Monte di Pietà used to be extremely popular in Italy, so it’s like being in a time machine.

Egyptian Pavilion

Egyptian artist Wael Shawky works across film, sculpture, performance, and drawing to examine and invert common notions of national and religious identity by recasting existing viewpoints of history. His video at the pavilion is mind-blowing; the theatrical factors are incredible, we also loved the set design.

What are some of the spots in Venice that you visit for artistic inspiration?

Some lesser known places we love to visit are the church and tower on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Negozio Olivetti by Carlo Scarpa in Piazza San Marco.

In addition to the Venice Biennale, which art galleries or museums would you recommend in the city?

Beside the Biennale, our favourite things to see in the city are the Fondazione Prada, which has now reopened after years of restoration works with a mind-blowing exhibition. We always love the shows at Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana. Ca ’Pesaro, always a good classic! Our favourite ‘close to home ’thing to see is the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

How has growing up in Venice shaped your design sensibility at ViBi Venezia?

Venice has a big influence on our aesthetic, and we are so lucky to call such a special inspiring and beautiful city our home. Many of our designs are rooted in traditional Venetian wear.

The SALONI outfit to complement an artful day out in Venice would be?

We are big fans of the Lea dress—we love to swap and wear the ones we have between us four sisters and match them with different colours of our ViBi Venezia slippers!