PASTIS | VENICE

To coincide with the opening week of the Biennale, Pastis (rom the Piedmontese word ‘pastis’, meaning ‘mishmash’) – a project by Fondazione Arte CRT, the ‘art-oriented’ arm of Fondazione CRT – is coming to Venice for the first time. The  project at is fith phase is curated by the art critic, journalist and populariser Nicolas Ballario.

Originally conceived as an invitation-only ‘secret breakfast’ event against the backdrop of significant moments in contemporary Italian art, Pastis was launched to engage with museum directors, curators, artists, students, critics and other professionals from various fields. It has since evolved into an informal networking platform designed to facilitate connections outside of more formal institutional settings. It offers a valuable opportunity for exchange and discussion, and provides a unique way to rediscover symbolic locations in the host cities, offering new perspectives on the urban environment.

Following the success of events in Bologna (ArteFiera), Milan (miart) and Turin (Artissima), which involved almost 1,000 participants in 2025 and raised awareness of the mission of the Fondazione Arte CRT, contributing to the development of an active and engaged community, Pastis has chosen the setting of the Biennale’s opening week for the first time to transform itself into a symbolic urban initiative: the Toppa d’Artista.

For this special edition, four leading figures from the Italian art scene — Marcello Maloberti, Giulia Cenci, Benni Bosetto and Monia Ben Hamouda — have been invited to design four original, limited-edition patches. These will be applied directly to participants’ garments in a historic Venetian tailor’s workshop, Atelier Nicolao, fostering a dialogue between contemporary art and local craftsmanship. From Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 May (2–5 pm), guests can visit the workshop to have a patch applied to their clothes. This artisanal process will transform the garment into a distinctive symbol of belonging, creating a temporary community that can be recognised amongst the Venetian streets during the Biennale.

The programme will culminate on the evening of Thursday 7 May with the Pastis party, which will be hosted at the atelier itself and accompanied by music and drinks. This convivial evening will reinforce the Foundation’s mission to build an active community capable of amplifying the institution’s values and vision through personal and professional networks. Pastis will also invite students from the Venice Academy of Fine Arts to participate in the contemporary art system and experience the atmosphere of the Biennale first-hand.

Download the (Italian) press release