We talked to three people involved in contemporary art in the city, and asked them to share their views on Florence and it’s contemporary art scene. Here is what they had to say:
Arabella Natalini, Art Direction and Curator of Tusciaelecta
“Credo che nonostante ci sia una maggiore attenzione all’arte antica, l’arte contemporanea trovi a Firenze un largo pubblico capace di comprenderla.”
English Translation: I believe that despite there being more focus on historical art, contemporary art in Florence is understood by a large audience.
“A Firenze si sono tenuti eventi e manifestazioni importanti legati all’arte contemporanea ma è sempre mancata una capacità di visione protratta nel tempo , che non ha consentito alla città di affermarsi in questo campo a livello internazionale.”
English Translation: In Florence, there have been important events related to contemporary art, but it has always lacked the capacity for a prolonged vision, which prevents the city from establishing itself in this field internationally.
Rubina Romanelli, Director at the Galleria Alessandro Bagnai
“L’arte contemporanea è apprezzata da un larghissimo numero di persone e il pubblico fiorentino, soprattutto quello più giovane, è sempre più partecipe. Tuttavia è vero anche che l’arte contemporanea ha, sui fiorentini stessi, una limitata attrazione, in quanto, in generale, spesso non vi è cultura per il contemporaneo, a cominciare dalla scuola dell’obbligo dove è spesso trascurata.
English Translation: Contemporary art is appreciated by a large number of people in Florence, especially the young, who are more involved. However, it is true that contemporary art has a limited attraction, by Florentines themselves, since, in general, there is often a lack of contemporary culture, beginning with education where is it often neglected.
“La diffusione dell’arte contemporanea in Italia e a Firenze dovrebbe cominciare all’interno delle istituzioni scolastiche ed essere parte integrante dei piani di studio e dei viaggi scolastici. Se ciò non accade, significa rifiutare la contemporaneità e l’esistenza di certi passaggi storico-artistici che si sono sviluppati dalle avanguardie artistiche ad oggi e che hanno determinato quello che viene prodotto nel presente in cui viviamo.”
English Translation: The spread of contemporary art in Italy and Florence should begin in schools and be a part of school trips. If it does not, that would be rejecting the contemporary and the existence of certain connections between history and the avant-garde art today and what is produced in the present.
“Reputo inoltre necessaria a Firenze una maggiore interazione tra enti pubblici e privati, tra gallerie e musei. E’ sicuramente necessario anche un coordinamento centralizzato del sistema dell’arte a Firenze, che sviluppi una piattaforma di diffusione unica, con una “calendarizzazione” e una mappatura di tutto ciò che avviene a Firenze, sia per gli eventi istituzionali che privati. Mi sembrano comunque infine positivi certi segnali e momenti di confronto offerti dal Comune, che fanno sperare in un rafforzamento del sistema dell’arte contemporanea e possibilmente anche in un ampiamento dell’offerta culturale per la città di Firenze.”
English Translation: I also believe that in Florence, a greater interaction between the public and private institutions, between galleries and museums, is necessary. It is certainly necessary to have a central art program in Florence that develops platforms of diffusion and schedules and maps all that takes place in Florence, both institutional and private events. It finally seems that there are positive signs and opportunities for discussion from the city to strengthen the presence of contemporary art and widen the cultural offerings in Florence.
Riccardo Lami, Brand Coordinator for the Centre for Contemporary Culture Strozzina at Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi
“When you ask where you can find contemporary art, we can mention a lot of places, but at the same time they are part of a dialogue with Florence surroundings. There are a lot of interactions between contemporary spaces and their ancient or historical surroundings.”
“I think during the last 10 to 15 years, there were a lot of different kinds of experiences and different kinds of exhibitions that created a reputation about Florence for contemporary art. Of course most of the people come here for other reasons, but when they come here, they understand that they are living in a contemporary city.”
“Contemporary artists are really crucial for the life of the city. Being involved in projects about contemporary art means that you create new education and a new way that the people can live and experience society. They can learn something about their lives.”
Mapping Contemporary Florence 