INVITATION - PRESS RELEASE (Hi res images are available upon request)

Two cultural events will enliven the Carnival on Giudecca Island, both organised by the Il Leone di Plastica association at the Giudecca 795 Art Gallery under the title "Art and Chocolate".

The first one is the art show "Maschere d'Artista" (Masks by Artists). The gallery will exhibit non-Carnival masks designed by three artists pursuing very personal artistic journeys -- Maurizio Baccanti, Gloria Deandrea, and Benny Katz -- throughout the Carnival period from 6 to 16 February 2010.
The exhibit opening -- with cups of hot chocolate -- is on 6 February starting at 5:30 pm.
Opening hours for "Maschere d'Artista": 6 to 16 February, 3pm-8pm and by appointment. 

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The second event is "Venezia dall'alto -- Venice from Above", a photo exhibit of some of the aerial photos by Giampaolo Agostinelli that make up the photo book of the same title. During the opening on 12 February beginning at 5:30 pm, there will be a presentation of the photo book, again with cups of hot chocolate. The Assessora alla Produzione Culturale del Comune di Venezia (City Councillor for Cultural Production), Prof. Luana Zanella, will take part.

The show will be held from 12 to 18 February 2010, 3pm-8 pm and by appointment; free entrance.  The book, in bilingual edition (Italian/English), featuring a preface by the City Councillor for Cultural Production, Luana Zanella, is published by AWD and is curated by Rosalba Giorcelli. More info about the book: www.venicefromabove.com

The most recent photo book about Venice, Italy -- "Venezia dall'alto / Venice from Above" -- gives you the extraordinary and relatively exclusive opportunity to admire Venice and her Lagoon from above. This is the first book to show the Calatrava Bridge, the recent works of the MOSE system and the not-as-touristy areas of Venice. Try to imagine what it would be like to rise higher than the St. Mark's steeple, which stands at almost 300 ft., and soar over the city: it is a breathtaking source of new discoveries. Flying at low altitude over Venice is a rare experience and a tough job, but thanks to Giampaolo Agostinelli, an extraordinary photographer and aviator, we are afforded the rarest of opportunities to discover Venice and the lagoon from on high. We have selected 114 photos and added brief descriptions and maps to help readers find their bearings in the maze that is Venice. This is the very first photographic book about Venice to feature the Ponte della Costituzione (the Calatrava Bridge) from above (it is the fourth and newest bridge to span the Grand Canal), but it is only one of the many reasons why this book is so special. It's as if one were dreaming of flying over Venice.

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The venue: Giudecca795 Art Gallery, Fondamenta S.Biagio 795 (100 meters from Molino Stucky - Hotel Hilton). ACTV: 41, 42, 2, to the Palanca stop. Phone: (+39) 3408798327 - www.giudecca795.com 


Vernissage of the art exhibit "Maschere d'Artista": 6 February 2010 from 5.30 pm. Free entrance.
Opening hours: from 6 to 16 February 2010, 3 pm - 8 pm and by appointment. 
Website: http://www.giudecca795.com


Vernissage of the photo exhibit and presentation of the book "Venice from Above": 12 February 2010,  5.30 pm.
Photo exhibit opening hours: from 12 to 18 February 2010, 3.30 pm - 8 pm and by appointment.
http://www.veneziadallalto.com (italiano);
http://www.venicefromabove.com (inglese)