Italian
The Art Park at Villa Fürstenberg, in 22 hectares of a wonderful garden the works of great contemporary masters
VENICE – In the splendid setting of Villa Fürstenberg Park, in Mestre along Terraglio, it is possible to visit for free the open-air museum of Banca Ifis dedicated to contemporary sculpture.
An opportunity not to be missed. An extraordinary journey between past and future, between art and nature. It is all this and much more the International Sculpture Park of Banca Ifis, officially open to the public since this spring and part of Ifis art, the project launched within the context of the 2024 Venice Art Biennale, strongly desired and conceived by President, Ernesto Fürstenberg Fassio, to bring together all the initiatives carried out by the Bank for the enhancement of art, culture, contemporary creativity, and their values. An articulated and innovative project that focuses on digital technologies, to make art accessible also through innovative and alternative methods, the development of public-private partnerships to support territories and communities, and support for young people to promote development and social inclusion through art, in addition to the enhancement of biodiversity, for a harmonious dialogue between man and nature.
The International Sculpture Park
Some of these works have found their natural setting in the International Sculpture Park of Banca Ifis, within the 22 hectares of the garden of Villa Fürstenberg, in Mestre. Curated by Giulia Abate and Cesare Biasini Selvaggi, it was inaugurated in September 2023, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Bank’s activities.
An open-air exhibition space
In the open air exhibition space, there are currently 23 plastic works by twelve masters of contemporary sculpture, both Italian and international: Fernando Botero, Annie Morris, Park Eun Sun, Igor Mitoraj, Manolo Valdés, Pablo Atchugarry, Pietro Consagra, Roberto Barni, Julio Larraz, Philip Colbert, Giuseppe Penone, and Nico Vascellari. The splendid works enhance the peculiarities of the relationship between man and nature, immersed in the botanical-naturalistic ecosystem of the villa’s garden.
Free visit by reservation
In the large park among centuries-old trees, rose gardens, and the water lily pond, it is indeed possible to admire the permanent exhibition “Horse Power” by Nico Vascellari, which explores the animal symbolism in the automotive industry, previously showcased at the Lyon Biennale in 2019. The Park will see the addition of new sculptures every year, some of which may be monumental, in order to continue stimulating the relationship between art and garden that defines its essence.
The Park can be visited for free every Sunday (excluding holidays), upon reservation through the dedicated app “Ifis art”.
Next opening dates
11, 18, 25 August
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 September
6, 13, 20, 27 October
3, 10, 17, 24 November
Photo credits: International Sculpture Park
