Arsenale - Theatres and spaces for live performance

A new venue for performing arts in Venice that opened in 2000, the theatre occupies a building in the Vecchie Fonderie Cinquecentesche in Campo della Tana. Designated to host live performances, the space was redesigned by la Biennale, and now features a spectator terrace with 250 theatre seats and a stage 16 m wide and 13 m deep; an advanced stage-lighting system: a dimmer cabin for more than 100 channels and standard 250 Kw power, with a cutting-edge console. In the vast technical space behind the stage, there is a storage room, sets for the stage, services and dressing rooms.

In the heart of the monumental area of the Arsenale, the Tese Cinquecentesche (the warehouses where the sails were stretched in the 16th Century) are made up of four buildings connected by large arches.

The Tese Cinquecentesche host the Teatro alle Tese, that opened in 2000: a flexible space conceived for theatre and music productions as well as meetings, with a seating structure that can be assembled and taken down, a stepped incline (18 cm rise) for a total of 160 seats, to be added to the 248 seats on the ground level in front of the stepped structure. A partially permanent stage (16 meters wide by 6 meters deep) with an electrical system covering the entire available space, with electrical power connections of up to 100 kw and a central control panel positioned in the central Tesa of the four that compose the overall space of 2650 sq.m, divided by large stone arches.

The North and South Armaments complex, located in the heart of the Arsenale area in use at the Biennale, is made up of two imposing two-story buildings, consisting of 3 and 4 areas. The original nucleus of the Sale d'Armi dates back to about 1460, when they were used as a deposit for the armaments of the Serenissima Republic, as well for representation during the visits of particularly illustrious guests. Some rooms were in fact decorated with the weapons of the Republic of Venice. Along with the adjacent building of the Artiglierie, the Sale d’Armi are the symbol of the war power of land and sea of Venice. Access to this sector of the Artiglierie was exclusively through the monumental gateway attributed to Sanmicheli, built around 1560 to separate this strategic sector from other areas of the Arsenale.

Starting in 2012, in agreement with the Venice Authority, a complex restoration of the Salt Arms that were in a state of advanced structural degradation was started. This was possible thanks to the availability of public and private funds. Recovery activities are still ongoing. The aim is to finish work in 2019. The total area of the North and South Sale d'Armi Area is 7,150 square meters, 1,850 and 5,300 square meters respectively.

The new technology and security facilities have made space available for both display and show use. Accessibility to the upper floors was adapted by creating new accesses made up of an outdoor escalator, while inside the portions A and D were designed two stairs. Completely restored B, C and D sections are home to National Participations (Argentina, Peru, South Africa, Turkey, Mexico, United Arab Emirates and Singapore), who for years have asked for their own space in the exhibition area of ​​the Biennale. Part A, broader and articulated in interior spaces, is primarily intended for Biennale College activities.