Stories

The fascination with his own city, Venice. A passion for antique objects. An empathy for a material as fragile as it is powerful: glass. The collections of Giberto Venezia, the brand founded by Giberto Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, is a blend of memories, connections, passion, and experimentation. A project born almost by chance, it has recently been enriched by a precious boutique on the Rialto Bridge, a space restored by architect Giovanni Rubin de Cervin Albrizzi.

It all began in the workshops of Murano’s master glassmakers, where Giberto used to go to have family objects repaired. The very objects of his childhood in Palazzo Papadopoli on the Grand Canal (now home to the prestigious hotel Aman Venice) also inspired the first steps of his production, launched in 2005. Giberto initially began shaping decorative elements for his own home, collaborating with those same glass masters. When friends started commissioning pieces for their homes and tables, Giberto Venezia was born — and today, in addition to glasses, pitchers, and vases, it also includes sculptures, frames, and works of art. He explains what lies behind his collections.

Your boutique debuted in an exceptional location, the Rialto Bridge. What is your relationship with this place?
“Many memories. When I was a child and accompanied my mother on errands, we always stopped at the perfume shop ‘Da Franco,’ which is still on the bridge today, where she would spend hours discussing the origins and characteristics of different essences. It is an iconic place for us Venetians. It is both a monument and a passageway. You cross it every day, yet you rarely stop.”

What does Venice represent for you?
“It is a unique union of art and natural beauty. It is steeped in charm and mystery — every corner hides a story. It is a place where creativity and tradition merge harmoniously, a quality that has always fascinated me and inspired my work as a designer. But it is also the city of my childhood, very different then from what it is today. Venice and I have watched each other grow and change. The Venice of my childhood was more mysterious and, in some ways, more alive than today’s. Mass tourism has changed it greatly, but at the same time I believe it is wonderful that everyone can visit it. In a way, not being born here might even be a blessing — discovering it for the first time as an adult must be an incredible experience, almost a shock.”

How are your collections created?
“The creative process is always different. I tend to draw inspiration from observing architecture, art, and everyday life. Collaboration with the masters of Murano is essential. With some of them I have formed beautiful friendships spanning decades. I always begin with a sketch on paper, which must then be refined. Going to Murano, discussing ideas with them, and together identifying the most appropriate production techniques is a very important part of this work.”

What is your relationship with objects in your life?
“I live surrounded by history and love to be surrounded by things that carry emotional meaning. I am drawn to details of craftsmanship and often find inspiration in the simplest objects around me. An antique light switch that belonged to my mother, for example, inspired Luce Serenissima, where I sought to combine tradition and modernity to create a series of switches that are both useful and, in my view, beautiful. I am fascinated by traditional techniques but always searching for innovative ways to reinterpret and reinvent a product’s design — to create something unique yet functional.”

What is the most delicate aspect of production?
“Certainly the working of the glass, when the Master tests the design. It requires great craftsmanship and constant attention to avoid errors that could compromise the final result. It is also the most rewarding aspect, because it allows such a delicate and mutable material to be transformed.”

Your favorite addresses in Venice?
“The restaurant Alla Madonna, near the Rialto Bridge — one of my favorites, it preserves authentic Venetian character and its atmosphere makes me feel at home. I used to go there with my father, which makes it especially dear to me. It is also just steps from the fish market, ensuring freshness and quality. Harry's Bar, of course — a true institution that has preserved its spirit over time. Pasticceria Rizzardini for coffee. And finally, walking on the Lido di Venezia in spring remains one of my favorite activities.”