Libreria Giovanni
With the opening of Libreria Giovanni, the Fondazione Querini Stampalia continues its efforts towards cultural renewal by partnering with Edizioni Tlon to curate a space designed to enhance and expand the museum experience. This is not merely a bookstore, but an independent establishment aimed at engaging diverse audiences and fostering dialogue with the city.
The bookshop is dedicated to Giovanni Querini, the institution’s founder, and functions as a meeting point between two complementary roles: that of a museum bookstore, extending the experience through books, programmes, objects, and gadgets; and that of an independent bookstore, offering a careful selection of sophisticated and accessible publications. It is a space where books serve as both tools for in-depth study and catalysts for understanding the present.
The intervention by Martí Guixé inside Libreria Giovanni, the new bookshop of Fondazione Querini Stampalia (photo by Adriano Mura)
A selection of posters, catalogues, and illustrated books at Libreria Giovanni (photo by Adriano Mura)
The entrance to Libreria Giovanni (photo by Adriano Mura)
The temporary setting of the rooms, designed by Martí Guixé as part of the Fondazione’s Q Spot project, Seat, Read, Think, Repeat, is integrated into the space to create an engaging and functional environment. This design philosophy aligns with the Fondazione’s identity and Tlon’s publishing values, fostering a physical and symbolic space where culture is shared and transformative. The arrangement emphasises that design is an active component of the cultural narrative.
Libreria Giovanni is intended to serve a broad and diverse public, including students, Venetians, visitors to the Fondazione, avid readers, scholars, and discerning tourists. While it aims to complement visits to the Fondazione, it is also intended to operate independently.
In keeping with the mission of the Fondazione Querini Stampalia, the space is envisioned as dynamic and participatory, hosting book launches, literary events, philosophical and artistic encounters, and appearances by both national and international authors. It is a place where books once again become catalysts for knowledge, community engagement, and active citizenship.
