How do you envision Venice in the future? Karin and Luciano Marson of Pieces of Venice

Inviting tourists to contribute to maintaining the decorum of Venice, and a Michelin Guide for authentic Venetian Workshops. For Karin and Luciano Marson, a Compasso d’Oro for graphic design and two Compassi d’Oro for design, creators of Pieces of Venice, this is the moment to #RewriteTheFuture of Venice

The #RewriteTheFuture of Venice project curated by Venezia da Vivere and Associazione Piazza San Marco is an opportunity to discover the ideas and proposals of people who love Venice, as it is today for Karin and Luciano Marson of Pieces of Venice.

Vaporetti, swings, gondolas, rocking horses, and other designer-conceived objects are created in the spirit of sustainability using fragments from the Venice Lagoon, wood from bricole and Venetian piers, and each object is associated with a place in the city. This is the project for reusing disused materials from the Venice territory by designers Karin Friebel and Luciano Marson, who aim to promote “the Venetian essence of things” and the values of Venice represented by its great craftsmanship.

VDV: How do you envision Venice in the future?

We believe that Venice must elevate itself qualitatively by taking greater care of its appearance from every perspective. We will start from a “pristine” situation with the cleaning and sanitation imposed upon us by this tragedy, which began in November with the acqua granda: cleaning and organizing costs money, maintaining it costs NOTHING!

Each of us should be a guardian of respect, maintenance, and decorum: we must take pride in calling out anyone who commits acts of incivility, from cigarette butts on the ground to graffiti. These simple rules would be an important pillar for the selection and qualitative growth of tourism that will gradually return to our marvelous city.

VDV: What can politics and citizens do for a renaissance of Venice?

Politics MUST focus on a high standard of quality in communication, enough begging for “charity,” let us bring forth our pride and awareness of being the most beautiful and romantic city in the world, let us present ourselves with these characteristics that are already UNIVERSALLY recognized.

We are skilled and quick at getting back on our feet, let us show ourselves ready to welcome with care the guests who will arrive to enjoy an immaculate Venice, to “feast” upon with their eyes and with all our senses.

VDV: Propose a specific idea in at least one of these areas: environment, residency, work, culture, safety, tourism.

We have two initiatives in mind in the area of tourism:

1) Invite TOURISTS to contribute to maintaining the decorum of Venice by dedicating 3-4 hours of their time on a one-time basis, participating in #SaveVeniceWithUs, the cleaning and restoration sessions periodically organized by the MASEGNI & NIZIOLETI association, #savevenicewithus; the three to four hours will also include a refreshment break during which they will receive a complimentary tasting of cicheti and wine.

The name of the participating tourist will be entered in a public Roll of Honor, also in digital version on dedicated Web and Social platforms. Pieces of Venice can create a dedicated object to offer complimentary to each participant.

2) Establish a GUIDE to authentic Venetian Workshops, quality shops of Venetian tradition that meet a series of requirements, to be defined by a guarantee committee, and that commit to respecting them.

Tourists who make a purchase there must have the CERTAINTY that what they buy meets what is declared. These shops may also carry a minimal portion (10-20% maximum) of imported products but must specify this CLEARLY, to protect the consumer.

One could establish a sort of “Michelin Guide and related stars” to be awarded to a network of Made in Venice excellence. Pieces of Venice can grant complimentary use of its “anchor/logo” to be used as a “star.”

Alternatively, it can offer complimentary a symbol and related dedicated graphic design (editor’s note: Luciano Marson was awarded the Compasso d’Oro for graphic design in 1988).

Should one of these initiatives be adopted, or another whose principles we share, we offer to be complimentary ambassadors of it and are available to undertake promotional trips each year, whether in Europe or beyond.

We are here.

Karin and Luciano of Pieces of Venice.