FONDAZIONE DRIES VAN NOTEN A New Vision for the PALAZZO PISANI MORETTA Opening, Venice April 25, 2026

By EWA MONIKA ZEBROWSKI April 4th, 2026

In the sixties Phil Ochs, American songwriter and activist said,
In such ugly times the only true protest is beauty.

The Fondazione Dries van Noten is opening its inaugural Presentation,
The Only True Protest is Beauty, on April 25, 2026 at the
Palazzo Pisani Moretta in San Polo, Venice.

Beauty, according to Dries van Noten, can be an act of protest and of awakening, a catalyst for new creation.

In the last few weeks there have been posters on the walls of Venice, Italian style, building awareness of this new initiative. In the spirit of broadsides, the posters have included various quotes about Art, Beauty, Poetry by Christian Lacroix, Joris Laarman, Zaven., Rei Kawakubo, Jean Cocteau and others.
Some in Italian, some in English.
A palette of Dries colors.

Courtesy Fondazione Dries Van Noten

Courtesy Fondazione Dries Van Noten

The opening Presentation will showcase more than 200 artworks, objects and archival pieces by more than 50 makers, displayed in 20 rooms of the palazzo, on the piano nobile, first and second floors/on three floors.
The exhibition is a dialogue between the architecture, history, and decorative language of the palazzo and the work exhibited. A procession.

The Presentation curated by Dries van Noten with Geert Bruloot, will be on view from April 25 to October 4, 2026.

Van Noten retired as director of his eponymous international fashion house in 2024 and continues to dedicate himself to the pursuit and interpretation of Beauty.

Over the long term, the Foundation will celebrate the work of contemporary artists, along with the layers of history present in the palazzo, a new energy emerging. A new conversation.

There will be opportunities created for artists and makers to meet and dialogue in this effervescent environment. Opportunities for residencies, exhibitions, presentations and collaborations with both local and international participants.

Photo: Camilla Gloriosa

Courtesy Fondazione Dries Van Noten

Venice is a living museum confronting the future while preserving and honoring the past. La Serenissima continues to be alive with a rich history/tradition in the fields of glass, textiles, architecture, design, painting, and sculpture.

Dries van Noten wants to give artists the opportunity to explore this canvas, to expand their vision and vocabulary and reinterpret ideas in a contemporary way while experiencing the unique nature of this city of 100 islands and over 400 bridges.

The Palazzo Pisani Moretta, floating between heaven and earth, was built in the late 15th century by the Bembo family. It is located on the Grand Canal between the Rialto Bridge and the Ca’ Foscari in the San Polo district.

Courtesy Fondazione Dries Van Noten

Courtesy Fondazione Dries Van Noten

 

The Pisani Moretta family acquired the palazzo in 1629.
During the last 45 years the historic/celebrated/ majestic palazzo has been restored and preserved by the Sammartini Family. In summer 2025 the palazzo was purchased by Dries van Noten and his partner, Patrick Vangheluwe. They fell in love with this Venetian treasure.

Dries, intuitive and spontaneous, has always celebrated beauty.
His love for sumptuous, unique fabrics, unusual colours and textures
was reflected in his fashion line.
His design was always daring and surprising, without pretension,
his love of gardens an inspiration.
His fashion was never about perfection, more about a desire to disturb, create emotion, and question the meaning of beauty.

His eclectic, poetic presentations were unique, often surprising, with a touch of glamour, and glisten. The Alchemy of Fashion.

And so now van Noten becomes a Custodian of both Beauty and History in this new adventure. The Fondazione will generate new opportunities for creators to engage with Art and Crafts in this city of water, canals and memory, while honoring the genius of the Venetian spirit and imagination.

Photo: Camilla Gloriosa

I visited the Palazzo Pisani Moretta in 2010 on two occasions.
Its beauty enthralled me then.

IG TAG: @fondazionedriesvannoten
WEBSITE: fondazionedriesvannoten.org