During the Architecture Biennale preview in Venice, two major new art spaces opened: the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation's new home in a historic palazzo on the San Barnaba canal, and SMAC (San Marco Art Centre), a contemporary art center on Saint Mark's Square designed by David Chipperfield. Additionally, Belgian artist Luc Tuymans accepted a last-minute commission from the Abbot of San Giorgio Maggiore to replace two Tintoretto paintings with his own large-scale works. The Fiorucci Foundation's palazzo, acquired in December 2024, opened May 10 with an exhibition by Georgian artist Tolia Astakhishvili, featuring works made from found materials and drawings on walls, alongside pieces by Thea Djordjadze and Maka Sanadze. SMAC, restored by Chipperfield, currently hosts two exhibitions: one on Australian modernist architect Harry Seidler and another on Korean landscape architect Jung Youngsun.
These openings matter because they signal Venice's continued evolution as a dynamic contemporary art destination beyond the Biennale. The Fiorucci Foundation's gritty, non-commercial approach offers a counterpoint to Venice's luxury tourism, supporting emerging artists with unconventional materials and site-specific work. SMAC's location on Saint Mark's Square and its multidisciplinary programming—spanning fashion, architecture, and fine art—demonstrate how historic spaces are being reimagined for contemporary cultural engagement. The Tuymans commission also highlights the ongoing dialogue between old masters and living artists in Venice's sacred spaces, reinforcing the city's role as a laboratory for ambitious artistic interventions.