I’m headed to an opening of Andrea Zanatta’s photography show at the Galleria d’Arte l’Occhio in Dorsoduro (between the Salute and the Guggenheim) this evening. His evocative and haunting images of after-midnight Venice, photographed in the wee hours and often cloaked in fog, mist, and rain, make an even stronger impression as some are printed on canvas and are three by four feet in size.
If you’ll be in Venice this winter, stop by to see his work; or review it on the gallery web site where you can learn more about him as well. (FYI, the work that was selected for hanging in the gallery is not actually posted on the site.)
In the interest of full disclosure, I have NO commercial interest in this artist whatsoever, he’s just a good friend. If you like his work though, do stop by La Cantina on the Strada Nova (where he’s the co-owner), and tell him so!
Andrea’s show will be up until January 31, 2006. The Gallery is on the Calle del Bastion, Dorsoduro 181, between the Salute and the Guggenheim: here
Many thanks for the information. They look glorious and very, very tempting. I’m arriving in Venice at the end of January – do you know how long the show is on for?
Thanks for your interest, Mary. After attending the opening last night, I can attest, they are glorious!
I will check on the length of the show, and how you might be able to see his work otherwise, and let you know.
Wow. I know Andrea from the bar but I had no idea he was an artist, too. If the exhibit is still up at the end of March I will definitely check it out. I used to have the hugest crush on that guy.
Speaking of La Cantina – I just read an article in Travel & Leisure magazine about the current “in” places to eat and drink, and La Cantina made the list, but the writer said that Francesco is tempermental and the bar simply doesn’t open when he is in a bad mood. I know Francesco to be an artiste with a range of moods, but I have never known the bar to be closed because he was in a bad mood. Have you witnessed this, Nan?
Andrea, the crush, yes; you and every other woman within fifty kilometers (I just met his wife at the opening last night)! But the bottom line is, he’s a great guy, and a wonderful host who really knows how to make people feel at home in his bar. We celebrated my recent birthday there; I can’t remember when I’ve had a better one.
The Cantina is a bit like Venice — like Italy, I suppose; not perfect, but worth it. And yes, no one I know is surprised to pass by and see it closed for no reason, and if you think I’m going to surmise why, on the Internet, about ANYTHING that goes on in Venice (è piccola, Venezia), much less about my friends at the Cantina, well…I’ve lived here now long enough to know better!
I will say that like most places, and most stories, and most things in life, it’s a bit more complicated, I think. And I don’t recommend the Cantina to my Type A clients/friends, nor to anyone who’s likely to get their nickers in a twist because the “service is slow.”
It is one of those places that is beloved by locals and travelers alike, from all over, and is unique in the city, too.
I love La Cantina… I only mentioned the closures because, aside from vacations, I’ve never seen it closed on just a random day. We’ll have to meet there in March!
(You mean I am not the only one who’s had a crush on Andrea??? :))
Thanks for this great tip! I will be traveling in Venice this January before leaving for business in Vicenza. I will definitely check this out, as “after midnight” is when Venice truly takes on its most intriguing face.