Sormani Vella is the cellar space of 11 The Beach. It houses the physical archives of properties 11 and 12 The Beach and the art works of Alessandra Sormani.
History
Fortes Ice-Cream Parlour opened at 11 The Beach in 1952, run by Rosa and Ettore Vella. The cellar was used for storing the ice-cream utensils and was where Ettore would churn the ice-cream for the business. It later became a workshop and utility area.
After years of being unused, the cellar space was renovated by Alessandra Sormani with the intention as an artist-led project with Stephan Takkides, supported by Francesco and Adriana Sormani, and Aldo Vella.
Since Sormani Vella’s opening exhibition, Back2Blitz in 2017, Aldo Vella from Fortes ice-cream kiosk (situated directly above the exhibition space) decided to retire. Personal circumstances caused plans for Sormani Vella, as an artist-led exhibition, project and residency space to pause. Alessandra has decided to focus on the re-opening of the ice-cream business. A review on what the space is and how it will function practically is being considered in the meantime.
