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The “Silence” exhibition by Ahmet Gunestekin is set to open in Venice on May 6, marking a new international presentation of the artist’s work through a project supported by Yildiz Holding.
According to the company’s statement, the exhibition will inaugurate a newly established cultural space at the historic Palazzo Gradenigo, located in Campo Santa Giustina. The venue is being developed by the Gunestekin Foundation as an international platform for contemporary art production and exchange.
The launch of the venue is being carried out through “Silence,” curated by Sergio Risaliti, positioning the exhibition as both an artistic event and an institutional opening.
Originally built in the 16th century for the Gradenigo family, Palazzo Gradenigo stands among the notable palaces of the Venetian lagoon. The building was acquired by Gunestekin in 2024, with restoration led by architect Alberto Torsello, known for his work on significant heritage projects.
Once completed later this year, the structure will span five floors and approximately 2,000 square meters, serving as the foundation’s permanent base in Venice.
Designed specifically for the building’s interior and exterior spaces, the “Silence” exhibition brings together 11 large-scale bronze sculptures alongside 11 mixed-media works. The installation reflects Gunestekin’s approach of merging site-specific design with broader themes of memory and cultural heritage.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors on the ground and first floors of the restored palace until Nov. 1.
In statements shared ahead of the opening, Yildiz Holding board member Murat Ulker framed the initiative as more than a standalone exhibition, describing it as a cultural bridge linking past and present, as well as local and universal narratives. He pointed to Gunestekin’s ability to bring Anatolia’s layered cultural memory into dialogue with the global language of contemporary art.
Yildiz Holding Chairman and CEO Mehmet Tutuncu similarly emphasized the artist’s focus on shared human values and cultural heritage, expressing confidence that “Silence” would leave a strong impression on the international art scene while contributing to the global visibility of art from Türkiye.
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