Kunsthaus Paradiso is Born in Venice: Italian Art Has a Home, Despite the Biennale

A new project called Kunsthaus Paradiso has opened in Palazzo Molin Querini in Venice, running from May 4 to May 31 in conjunction with the Venice Biennale. Founded by curator Caroline Corbetta, the initiative evolved from her earlier Crepaccio project (2012–2016) in Milan and the Padiglione Crepaccio, which debuted at the 2013 Biennale Arte curated by Massimiliano Gioni. Kunsthaus Paradiso focuses on Italian and Venice-based artists—including Thomas Braida, Fabio De Meo, Caterina Rossato, Ornella Cardillo, Alessandro Miotti, Melania Fusco, Mauro Campagnaro, Marta Spagnoli, Barbara De Vivi, Spazio Punch, Giorgio Andreotta Calò, Mattia Sinigaglia, and the collective Scafandra—offering a platform for emerging and local talent during the Biennale.

This project matters because it directly addresses a perceived gap in the Venice Biennale: the lack of visibility for Italian artists and the vibrant independent art scene in the lagoon city. Corbetta argues that the Biennale, with its mega-exhibitions of established or deceased artists, overshadows the local creative community. Kunsthaus Paradiso aims to reclaim space for living, working artists in Venice, challenging the geopolitical and generational dynamics of the art world. Its collaboration with Venice International Foundation underscores a growing push for decentralized, artist-centered initiatives alongside major international events.