The “Miniartextil” an exhibition of contemporary art shows the best in textile art, with a revolutionary approach to the textile heritage and its materials. This is the first time Venice hosted “Miniartextil”, the 23th edition dedicated to “Eros”.

It was opened on January 11th, in Palazzo Mocenigo, Italy, and after the closing day on February 14, 2014, the exhibition will continue to other parts in the world including Paris.

The annual international exhibition organized by Arte & Arte Como and curated by Luciano Caramel. The exhibition is featuring 430 artists from 43 different nations. There are also 54 mini-textiles chosen by a jury, composed by Luciano Caramel, Maria Cristina Cedrini and Vito Capone.

The textile artworks on display feature mostly white and red colors, as well as the use of natural elements, objet trouvé (such as wood and leaves). The objects are transformed into desire, symbols of love, including the search for a dreamlike dimension and reality. In some works Eros is seen as a vital energy, an absolute power of life opposed to Thanatos, death .

The exhibition offers small and large-scale installations. They are the “ministessili” – works which do not exceed 20 cm on each side, an extraordinary artistic expression that weave fantasy, skills and self-irony.

In this section, the visitors have an opportunity to admire the mini installation by Japanese artist Keiichi Nagasawa. The large-scale installations, also focuses on the theme of Eros, show a variety of interpretations, including love in all its ‘forms’ life and vital energy, desire and attraction, conquest and the creation of a common path.

Palazzo Mocenigo has reopened its new galleries of the museum to the public last year on November 1st, after 10 month renovation, adding new galleries and layout. In addition to already 20,000 pieces of clothing and textiles dating to early Christian times and 6,000 books on fashion, the museum added a collection of perfumes galleries with a collection of more than 2,500 flasks that date to 2,000 B.C. from the German perfume company Drom. Venice is considered a pioneer in the industry, so the addition was appropriate.

Visitors had a chance to see the new galleries of the museum including the new perfume galleries allowing visitors to smell ingredients.