#structuresofvenice visiting Bottega Cini
During the summertime, I noticed that there is some new movement, between Accademia and Punta Della Dogana. It was a new concept store- Bottega Cini being opened!
Then, I tried to get in touch with people of Bottega Cini and they were kind to invite me to their new „renaissance“ concept of a store in Venice. After my Sicilian journey, I visited this place. Today, you can visit it virtually with me. When you visit Venice, I recommend it to you as a nice place, where to get in touch with the Venetian crafts, perfumes, books and printed goods.
Bottega Cini has a perfect location. Right opposite to Palazzo Cini.
It is settled in Dorsoduro, close to Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Basilica Della Salute and loads of accommodations, rather than cafes. This is the corner of Venice to visit if you are hungry for art and culture.
Bottega Cini is a freshly opened concept store, inspired by renaissance. While you will visit its modern and clean interior, you will understand, why renaissance. There is a beautiful and high quality of artisan and design goods of Venice on display. Moreover, it is displayed in a way, that you can admire some of them also from outside´s window.
When you enter, the staff of Bottega will take care of you. Language-wise, both Italiano and English can be used here.
You will get a friendly and understandable explanation of the goods. It is possible to have a close look at Murano glass. Learn how to avoid a cheap fake version of it (often sold in Venice) and how to distinguish real work.
The store is the product created in collaboration of Fondazione Archivio Vittorio Cini, The Merchant of Venice e Museyoum.
Which goods you can find here?
You can get enchanted by perfumes and cosmetics of The Merchant Of Venice.
You can see the artist working in a real-time on her Murano glass beads goods. She is called Marisa Convento and is Venice´s knows „Imimparessa“ – sounds a bit like a queen, right? She is a queen of glass beads goods.
There are already made earrings, necklaces. I own 2 pairs of her earrings of different colours and must say that they are fitting to my outfits and make me happy. It is possible to have also custom- made products have created. Just see how she is connecting tiny beads by beads and it will get your respect.
For book- lovers, there is a huge line of books that are published in Venice and cover themes from art, culture, history, or specific exhibition ran in Venice. They are not only great but also beautiful, so hurry up. You can see their books produced by Marsilio and Lineadacqua, my favourite publishing houses. They not only produce books but try to make the difference and to always bring up the cultural conversation.
Handmade paper goods of the paper producer Toscolano 1381 can be found here. It is a producer of fine art handmade paper, with the history going back to the 15th century.
For the glass admirers, NasonMoretti, producer of Murano glass. The maker became internationally known in the 50s and received as well important designer awards. He collaborated with brands such as Giorgio Armani, Tiffany & Co., Bottega Veneta, Hermes and more.
His works got to be exhibited around the world, but beloved both by contemporary brands and industries and also private users.
Nowadays, factory NasonMoretti continues to produce amazing Murano glass products with ancient technology, but with products suitable for a modern customer. In Bottega Cini, you can see the Murano Glass products manufactured by Nason Moretti and products in murrina by Ercole Moretti.
„ We are demonstrating with passion and love to our visitors the best quality artisan products and the true culture of Venice. It’s a place where you can enjoy multisensorial experience.“
Jelena Vesic, Responsabile Bottega Cini
You don´t need any special booking, simply walk in. This store plays the important role in the renaissance of retail service. I don´t know how you, but I am bored with the shops, where sellers are playing with their phones behind the cashier desk.
Or, another extreme, they play busy when you search for some help and in the end, they would recommend buying goods online.
Bottega Cini is different. It is a place of dialogue, of respect towards Venetian production and also to the visitors of Venice. I believe this is the idea of how to build a bridge for the visitors of Venice and people inside of it. By discussion, friendly way of education and sharing passionate information. In a big scale, both sides should benefit.
I like the eclectism of Bottega Cini since you will get inside of Venice´s atmosphere and its inner life.
In another exhibition space, you can sit down and to see the unique video created by a local artist, that is capturing the story during Venice´s time of the home- quarantine.“
Bottega Cini is the place to visit and spend some good time here. Instead of wasting time and resources, you can find a way how to find affordable quality with a personal story behind. It is clear, that Bottega Cini values its customers, and it is visible in small details.
For instance, as a customer, after purchase, you don´t only benefit from the flavoury information behind the products but will get a cute „Pensiero“ – a small gift to remember this place filled with amazing Venetian goods.
Finishing, I will give you one funny anecdote... or a bit sad, if I may. Some years ago, I tried to go around Venice´s shops, where it looked like Italian people are in possession of the stores and sell Venice- looking stuff. I asked to talk with the owner or responsible for the shops. I was trying to offer them my unique textile handmade goods, inspired by Venice´s dressing history. I believed, that it would be the perfect thing for Venice´s market, as I did not see anything like that around. Since I used a handmade embroidery and my unique textiles I gathered in years, I was convinced in the quality and suitability to Venice.
Also, many people were pushing me to try this way. So I went and tried. Do you know what I heard? After I told them, how much would I ask for them, the responsible always said „ Oooh, they are beautiful, but people would not buy it. We sell things from China for a few Euros, and this would be a different level and tourists would not take it.“ So... Really? Really?!
I know, maybe it is easier to sell a „water from Venice“ in a plastic bottle for 10 € with a rabat of 9,99€. It is a way. It is a way of creating a profit. It is a way how to go on, for some individuals. Is it also a way of keeping Venice alive in the future?
What drew me here, to Bottega Cini, made me believe in some individuals. In those, that choose to offer and to present the quality. That don´t play a game, that „tourists“ will not buy something. For this, I want to praise this place, as it is creating and energy, to expose the stories of the artisan, to lead a discussion of it. Bottega Cini understands the 21st century and the relationship with its customers and honours them. Hands down.
Another thing I will note, for the end is the great reception I got from responsible for Bottega Cini, Mrs Vesic, which I was very thankful. It is RARE in Venice, (at least for me since I am clearly not born in Venice), to be received in a professional way. Mrs Vesic was extremely passionate and educated in all the themes she explained to me.
I could see she is ready for all the customers that occurred in Bottega Cini meanwhile. Thanks to her, not only photos of the products as exhibited in the shop but also these collages of the objects could be created during my short stay there.
I wish to Bottega Cini great goods, great projects for the future and shall the staff of it enjoy the journey of the Bottega and its future chapters.
If you are curious to explore it online, click on their website : http://www.bottegacini.it/
For more phots, stories, extended content, maps also related to Bottega Cini, follow https://www.instagram.com/structuresofvenice/
Text, photos by Karolinska 2020
Yorumlar