Starhotels Honours Paolo Mangano’s Dark Sun and Me With Prestigious Craftsmanship Award

A circular smoked mirror crafted from reclaimed galvanic waste can now be found on the Riva degli Schiavoni, proving that high-end Italian luxury is shifting toward the beauty of recycled materials. This piece, titled Dark Sun and Me, represents a departure from the gold-leaf opulence typically associated with Venice, blending copper, malachite, and crystal into a functional object that challenges the boundary between art and utility.

The Evolution of Italian Utility

Venice is currently witnessing a quiet revolution where the "Beauty of Utility" is replacing static luxury. The fourth edition of the La Grande Bellezza Award, an initiative by Starhotels, has turned the hospitality space into a living gallery for contemporary patronage. Since 2019, the project known as The Dream Factory—launched in collaboration with Gruppo Editoriale and Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte—has sought to bridge the gap between ancient workshop techniques and the needs of modern hotels.

The most recent cycle of this biennial award focused on creating objects that are not merely decorative but serve a practical purpose within a hotel environment. The winner, Paolo Mangano, a Rome-based sculptor and goldsmith active since 1985, received a €10,000 prize for his ability to transform industrial scrap into a refined masterpiece. Mangano, who also teaches at IED University and holds the MAM – Maestro d’Arte e Mestiere Prize, has shifted the narrative of the "luxury object" from something newly mined to something thoughtfully reclaimed.

What Makes This Collection Different

Unlike traditional museum exhibits, these works are integrated into the guest experience at the Hotel Gabrielli Venezia – Starhotels Collezione. This approach removes the velvet rope, allowing visitors to interact with pieces that represent the cutting edge of Italian material science.

The diversity of the finalist collection showcases the breadth of regional expertise:

• Material Innovation: The "Allegretto" installation by Incalmi uses reclaimed wool for acoustic sound-absorption, blending environmental responsibility with enamelled copper.
• Geological Storytelling: Manuel Uka’s "Make Make" lamp is carved from a single block of travertine and features an onyx sphere, linking the dwarf planet Makemake to ancient mythology.
• Regional Heritage: F.lli Levaggi’s "Mario" valet stand takes the silhouette of the iconic Chiavari chair and recreates it using locally sourced Ligurian wood.
• Venetian Mastery: The "OCIO Lamp" by MNM Venezia utilizes over 1,300 glass-paste tesserae from the historic Orsoni furnace to mimic the human iris, while WonderGlass’s "Venetia" partitions use cast Murano glass to mirror the shifting light of the lagoon.
• Historical Revival: Salviati has revisited a 1930s tableware collection, "Salicornia," proving that the aesthetic values of nearly a century ago remain relevant in modern hospitality.

Visitor Insider Tips

To experience this exhibition and the surrounding Venetian artisanal scene without the typical tourist fatigue, follow these local strategies:

Timing the Visit The exhibition at Hotel Gabrielli is open for free access until 16 October 2026. To avoid the heaviest crowds, arrive between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Since the hotel is located on the Riva degli Schiavoni, the area becomes congested by midday.

Navigating the Riva degli Schiavoni Avoid the overpriced cafes directly facing the water. Instead, walk five minutes inland toward the Castello district to find smaller bacari (wine bars) where locals drink Ombra (a small glass of wine) and eat cicchetti.

Artisan Etiquette If you visit the workshops in Murano or the goldsmiths in central Rome (where Mangano operates), remember that these are working studios. Always ask before photographing a piece in progress. In Venice, the most authentic experiences are found in the "fondamenta" (side canals) rather than the main squares.

Transport Hack To reach the Hotel Gabrielli, avoid the crowded Vaporetto Line 1 if possible. Use the Traghetto—the traditional gondola ferries that cross the Grand Canal for a few euros—to move between districts quickly and authentically. For more official transit options, check the AVM Venezia website.

Cultural and Environmental Context

The shift toward using "reclaimed waste materials from galvanic production," as seen in the Dark Sun and Me mirror, signals a critical change in how Italy views its heritage. For decades, Italian luxury was defined by the rarity of the material. Now, the value is placed on the gesture—the skill of the artisan to transform something discarded into something precious.

This movement is essential for the preservation of the "Mestieri d’Arte" (Arts and Crafts). By integrating these works into hotels, the industry provides a sustainable financial model for artisans who might otherwise be priced out of city centers. Furthermore, the focus on sustainable materials—like the reclaimed wool in Incalmi's work or the local Ligurian wood used by F.lli Levaggi—addresses the environmental pressures facing the Mediterranean coast.

Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is particularly vulnerable to over-tourism. Initiatives that promote "slow" luxury and artisanal appreciation encourage visitors to linger in specific neighborhoods and engage with the city's intellectual and creative output rather than just its monuments. This helps distribute the economic benefits of tourism more evenly across the local creative economy. For more information on respecting the city's fragile ecosystem, visit Visit Venice.

FAQ: Visiting Venice 2026

What is the best time to visit the exhibition? Visit before 16 October 2026 to see the La Grande Bellezza finalists. Early morning visits to the Riva degli Schiavoni are recommended to avoid the peak tourist flow.

Is the exhibition at Hotel Gabrielli free? Yes, the showcase of Italian artisanal works is open to the public for free access until the closing date of 16 October 2026.

How do I get to the Hotel Gabrielli? The hotel is located on the Riva degli Schiavoni. You can arrive via Vaporetto or by walking from St. Mark's Square toward the waterfront.

Is Venice safe for solo travelers? Yes, Venice is generally very safe. However, be mindful of narrow alleys (calli) at night and always use official transport services to avoid overpriced private water taxis.

True luxury is no longer about the cost of the gold, but the story of the hand that shaped it.

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