We Exhibit was born from a shared vision, but above all, from a bold challenge: to create a space where design, research, and culture could intersect and transform into experiences that leave a lasting mark. It has been a journey of trials, insights, and evolution, built on the energy of those who believed in it from the very beginning and those who enriched its path along the way. Ten years of exhibitions, yes—but also of connections, ideas put to the test, sleepless nights before an opening, and the unparalleled satisfaction of seeing a concept come to life.

With this interview, we want to open an album of memories and visions: retracing the milestones that have brought us here, through the voices of those who gave We Exhibit its name, its identity, and its soul. Because our story is not just made of projects—it is, above all, made of people.

The First Step: The Encounter

Our journey begins in Venice in 2011, within the evocative halls of Palazzo Bembo.
Nicolas arrives at the entrance and stops to chat with the ticket office attendant. At that very moment, Davide, who works in the exhibition space, rushes past. The attendant calls him back to ask how to handle the résumé Nicolas had just dropped off.
Giovanni also works in the space. By sheer coincidence, both he and Davide sit in on Nicolas’s interview—and the very next day, he begins his job at Palazzo Bembo.

From an intersection of ordinary moments, a solid reality was born—one that has grown with vision and determination. Today, we celebrate a path shaped by creativity, design, and innovation, looking to the future with the same energy as on that very first day.

What was your first thought, reaction, or feeling when you realized the company was officially registered?

Giovanni Dantomio: That day, the notary told us how great it was that we were so young and eager to build something together—but he also warned us that the hardest part would be getting along in the long run. At that moment, I realized that this seemingly simple idea of "getting along" actually held the key to success. I suppose we’re still working toward that long run.

Over the years, there have certainly been times when we agreed more and times when we agreed less. But in the end, every decision led us here because each of us, when it truly mattered, was able to set aside personal vision for the greater good of We Exhibit.

We Exhibit: From a Request to an Opportunity

Once we moved past the initial panic, launching the company was not just an act of passion—it was a necessary choice. The drive to structure highly diverse processes effectively and the ambition to change the game by embracing a cross-disciplinary approach to design and production were the forces that led to the creation of We Exhibit.

What motivated you to found We Exhibit ten years ago? Was it a dream, an intuition, or a necessity?

Nicolas D’Oronzio: It all started with observation. It was during the preparation phase of the architecture exhibition at Palazzo Bembo in 2012. We were gathering information from exhibitors, navigating the complexities of working in Venice, and managing the setup at the exhibition venue. Communication and diplomacy were crucial to the success of the projects.

At the time, we had no structured operational framework—it was up to us to develop methodologies and procedures. It was a kind of controlled chaos. The phrase we heard most often from our supervisor was: I don’t care how you do it, just get it done. On one hand, it was stimulating; on the other, frustrating. That’s where the idea was born—to create an organization that could manage exhibition projects with care, empathy, and attention to process. Because the quality of the final outcome is always a direct result of the quality of the process that precedes it.

It was August 2012, and I was in the second-floor office at Palazzo Bembo. I remember randomly purchasing a few domain names for a future project. It took another three years to bring We Exhibit to life, and even now, there are still countless possibilities for growth.

Facing the Challenges of Change

Becoming an entrepreneur is never an easy path.
The responsibility toward the people who work with us and the fear of not being able to evolve present daily challenges.

What scared you the most, and what motivated you to keep going on this entrepreneurial journey?

Davide De Carlo: The time taken away from loved ones and self-care, the constant effort to achieve and maintain that elusive work-life balance—these are aspects that every entrepreneur, sooner or later, has to confront. And not without a fair share of inner turmoil.

Over time, these factors have carried significant weight in the balance of energy, both for me and my partners. What drives me to continue is seeing that, slowly but steadily, we are creating the conditions—both for ourselves and our collaborators—that allow everyone to find fulfillment, both in their work and beyond.

If you think back to the early years of We Exhibit, what is the most significant memory you carry with you?

Nicolas D'Oronzio: The burnout I experienced in 2013. I consider it a pivotal moment because, for the first time, I had to confront my own limits and acknowledge a part of me that, for months, had been ignoring the signals from my mind and body urging me to slow down and work in a more sustainable way.

The day after the exhibition openings concluded, I remember feeling a complete physical and mental collapse—one that stayed with me for several months. It was a tough but valuable lesson for the years to come.

Some Projects Stay in Our Hearts

Ten years of work, ten years filled with projects that have brought our company into collaboration with countless people and personalities from around the world.
Each project, with its unique value, has represented not only a professional challenge but also a journey of personal and collective growth. Among them, some remain particularly vivid in our memories.

Is there a project you consider especially emblematic? What makes it special to you?

Nicolas D'Oronzio: Xu Bing’s Phoenix installation at the Gaggiandre in the Arsenale, in 2015. It was an incredibly complex project, and at the time, I had neither the experience nor the preparation for something of that scale. But that didn’t stop me. If anything, it showed me how much you can learn quickly when actively engaging with challenges and working alongside specialized professionals.

I vividly remember one particularly reckless decision—I drove all the way to Milan to pick up materials needed for suspending the sculptures. I spent at least 15 minutes on the phone with an engineer, trying to figure out how to distribute the load in my car so it wouldn’t literally break in half during the trip, given that the weight far exceeded its capacity.

Giovanni Dantomio: The Mexico Pavilion at the 2015 Biennale, with Tania Candiani and Felipe Ortega.

In December 2014, Tania saw us working at the Venice International Performance Art Week at Palazzo Mora. Knowing she had this project in the works, she simply said, "I need the guys in the red t-shirts!"

Davide De Carlo: The Teaching Tree by Muhannad Shono, for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the 2022 Biennale.

It was an intricate process of co-design and co-production to create a large-scale site-specific installation—one that brought together metal structures, pneumatic systems, electronic controls, palm leaves, paints, engineers, a warehouse that caught fire, instruction manuals, destruction manuals, air compressors, cables, sketches on paper, tiny wires, technical drawings, and assistants of every possible kind.

And yet, both the journey and the final result were nothing short of perfect and breathtaking.

Stories of Anecdotes and Unforgettable Moments

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with so many people—not just within our team, but also across a vast network of clients, suppliers, and collaborators.

Together, we’ve shared unforgettable experiences, tackling both triumphs and challenges with mutual understanding, camaraderie, and solidarity—always maintaining a strong team spirit.

Is there a funny anecdote or an unforgettable moment that perfectly captures the essence of these ten years?

Nicolas D'Oronzio: A photo of the three of us co-founders—back when we were just former students searching for our future. Without any particular technical expertise, we built a wooden wall meant to support a very heavy artwork. To test if it would hold, we decided to hang onto the structure ourselves, quickly calculating the sum of our weights. Of course—it held!

Giovanni Dantomio: A client once explained their project to us, and I said, "Oh, you're producing it in that region? Just be careful with the voltage—over there, it's 110V, while here we have 220V, so make sure the equipment you buy can function here as well." Naturally, everything arrived in 110V.

Davide De Carlo: What better anecdote to reflect the seafaring spirit of Venice and its logistical acrobatics than the sheer joy of regularly receiving requests for truck access to some palazzo or some courtyard? And then, of course, exchanging a knowing glance with the nearest colleague before breaking into shared laughter.

If you had to describe We Exhibit with just one word, what would it be and why?

Davide De Carlo: Complicity. The deep sense of connection within our team defines the spirit of the company. It’s a key motivational factor that pushes us to challenge ourselves and continuously improve, turning collaboration into shared energy.

Nicolas D'Oronzio: I’d say innovation is the word that best represents our company. But I’d call it a human-centered innovation—meaning that our focus isn’t just on improving a product, but rather on enhancing the interactions between all the people involved in our projects.

Giovanni Dantomio: Resourceful, because in Italian, you’d need a whole sentence to explain it properly.

Looking at yourself in the mirror today, what makes you most proud of what you’ve built?

Nicolas D'Oronzio: Seeing how this company has been able to generate projects and create both professional and personal connections among people. Witnessing how many emotions—both positive and negative—fuel the company, and realizing that it’s a living entity, constantly evolving, where people can truly find their place.

Giovanni Dantomio: The fact that our clients become true ambassadors of our approach and are our greatest advocates.

Davide De Carlo: For every wrinkle and every lost hair, I see a challenge overcome—but also a person to thank. A person who is part of a vast network of respected professionals who align with our company culture.

10 Years: A Milestone and a New Beginning

In 2024, we embarked on a project of great significance: obtaining Gender Equality Certification. This initiative represents not only a continuous investment in our own growth and education but also a tangible commitment to those who work with us and collaborate alongside us.

We firmly believe that teamwork, cohesion, and mutual respect are the foundation of a culture that values the human aspect of every individual. That’s why we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow and expand their skills.

A special thank you to all the people who have shared—and continue to share—this journey with us. Thanks to the contributions of each and every one of you, we are celebrating ten years of success, ambition, and evolution, with the goal of reaching new milestones together.

Thank you,
Davide, Giovanni, Nicolas