Washington, October 17, 2023
The project Villa Firenze Contemporanea kicks off with an inauguration on Thursday, October 19th, in the presence of select representatives from the American and Italian-American cultural, media, and economic communities.
“It is a formidable initiative of cultural diplomacy and growth,” said Italian Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, “bringing a selection of the best of contemporary Italian art and design from the 1950s to today to the heart of Washington. The admiration of our American friends for Italian art and culture is unparalleled. Thanks to Villa Firenze Contemporanea, a broad audience of authorities, diplomatic corps, entrepreneurs, and representatives from every sector of American and Italian-American society, regular guests at the residence of the Ambassadors of Italy in Washington, will have an extra opportunity to appreciate Italian genius in contemporary art and design.”
Villa Firenze Contemporanea, an initiative of integrated and cultural promotion named after the Residence of the Ambassadors of Italy in Washington, is inspired by the projects Quirinale Contemporaneo at the Quirinal Palace and the Collezione Farnesina of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The project was curated by architect Prof. Renata Cristina Mazzantini, who selected over fifty works of art and design representing Italian creativity and elegance, integrating them into Villa Firenze’s Tudor-style architecture. The exhibition includes various creative expressions, from figurative to abstract, from conceptual to environmental art, from painting to sculpture, and features around thirty objects conceived by Italian designers and produced by Italian companies. All strictly Made in Italy and at the same time indicative of mutual ties and influences between Italian creators and the United States. The exhibition is documented in a catalogue with photos by Maestro Massimo Listri, published by Treccani.
During the days of the inauguration, the curator will be available for guided tours for curators, collectors, art experts, and journalists. Please contact culturale.washington@esteri.it for more information.
Villa Firenze Contemporanea is born with the ambition to highlight Italian contemporary art and, at the same time, the excellences of Made in Italy design, through a high-profile showcase for artists and designers as well as Italian companies, with the intention of strengthening their role in this important market.
The restoration of the four mirrors in the Grand Salon of Villa Firenze, carried out by Valore Italia – Botticino School of Restoration of Milan, is also part of the project.
Villa Firenze Contemporanea was realized with the contribution of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation/Directorate General for Public and Cultural Diplomacy and the support of Generali, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Eni.
ART
Archivio Accardi-Sanfilippo
Archivio Grazia Varisco
Archivio Pietro Consagra (Collezione Eredi Pietro Consagra)
Archivio Piero Dorazio
Associazione Paolo Scheggi
Bertozzi & Casoni
Chiara Dynys
Davide Rivalta
Emilio Isgrò
Fondazione Enrico Castellani
Fondazione Giorgio e Isa De Chirico
Olnick Spanu Collection, New York
Magazzino Italian Art Foundation
Maria Cristina Finucci
Mario Ceroli
Michelangelo Pistoletto
Miranda Gibilisco Ventrone
Palazzo Albizzini Collezione Burri
Pietro Ruffo
Rudolf Stingel
DESIGN
Armani / Casa
Arredoluce Milano 1943
Artemide
Cappellini
Cassina
Edra
Emmemobili
Flos
Fornasetti
Gaetano Pesce
Ghidini 1961
Glas Italia
Poltrona Frau
Reflex (Angelo)
Salviati
