V-A-C Foundation to Open an Exhibition Space and Artist Residency at Palazzo delle Zattere, Venice

Next May, the city will lay claim to a new private art institution, housed in an 18th-century palazzo, with a unique ambition for global collaboration.

Moscow’s V-A-C Foundation, owned by Leonid Mikhelson, will open a four-story exhibition space and artist residency at the Palazzo delle Zattere in Dorsoduro during the Venice Biennale vernissage.

V-A-C is currently restoring a historic palazzo in Venice, which will become a permanent exhibition and education space for the foundation from Spring 2017 and work is underway in Moscow to build V-A-C’s new headquarters, GES2.
A major new site for contemporary art and culture in the city, Renzo Piano Building Workshop have been commissioned to revive and redesign the main building – the GES2 power station built in 1907 – and the surrounding area on the banks of the Moskva River. GES2 is due to open in early 2019.

V-A-C Foundation is dedicated to the international presentation, production and development of Russian contemporary art – across a multitude of forms and within the framework of an invigorated and informed exhibition, educational, and publishing programme. Particularly important to the new generation of artists in Russia, V-A-C Foundation’s focus is on practically supporting and expanding the platform for home-grown talent, giving artists the opportunity to experience, engage with and interrogate international cultural practices whilst developing an authentic and autonomous artistic language. It is deservedly considered as one of the key proponents in opening out contemporary Russian culture to the wider world, and practically supporting and developing emergent artists through finding new international platforms for exhibition and opportunities for commissions as well as ways of encouraging cross-cultural exchange – especially important in the current climate. Founder and President of V-A-C Foundation, Leonid Mikhelson, is the first Russian to support the Tate Museums as Member of its International Council, and is also a Leadership Board Trustee of the New Museum, New York.