6 October 2012 gdc08

Eighth Giornata del Contemporaneo

On Saturday, October 6, 2012, the Eighth Giornata del Contemporaneo, the major annual event promoted by the Association of Italian Contemporary Art Museums and dedicated to the art of our time and its public, took place throughout Italy. AMACI museums and some 800 venues in Italy dedicated to contemporary art opened their spaces to the public free of charge for one day.

Francesco Vezzoli for l'Ottava Giornata del Contemporaneo, "Self-portrait as Antinous Loving Emperor Hadrian", 2012

Now in its eighth edition, the initiative promoted by AMACI has seen a gradual growth over the years in the number of adherents: from 180 in 2005 to 1,000 in 2011, which involved more than 240,000 visitors throughout the country in just twenty-four hours. This year, about 800 museums, galleries, associations and public and private art venues have already confirmed their free opening to present artists and new ideas through exhibitions, workshops, events and lectures: a multifaceted program that provides an unmissable opportunity to experience up close the vibrancy and richness of contemporary art and to experience the important role it plays in the cultural, social and economic development of our country.

As in past editions, AMACI has entrusted the creation of the guiding image for Giornata del Contemporaneo to an internationally renowned Italian artist. After Michelangelo Pistoletto (2006), Maurizio Cattelan (2007), Paola Pivi (2008), Luigi Ontani (2009), Stefano Arienti (2010) and Giulio Paolini (2011), this year it is the turn of Francesco Vezzoli, who proposes Self-portrait as Antinous Loving Emperor Hadrian, an image that encompasses the portrait of Emperor Hadrian – a sculpture from the 2nd cent. A.D. – and the young Antinous – a self-portrait in white Carrara marble by the artist himself – in a play of mirrors and cross-references between the artist’s gaze, that of his characters and our own, all staged by the simplicity of a gesture that unites past and present with an ideal red thread.

FRANCESCO VEZZOLI

Born in Brescia in 1971, Francesco Vezzoli in the early 1990s moved to London to study at Central St. Martin’s School of Art. He currently lives and works in Milan.
Francesco Vezzoli is one of the most internationally acclaimed contemporary Italian artists. His works have been exhibited in the world’s most celebrated museums in solo shows and projects-including MOCA in Los Angeles (2009); Jeu de Paume in Paris (2009); Moderna Museet in Stockholm (2009); Ludwig Museum in Cologne (2007); Tate Modern in London (2006); Neu Galerie in Berlin (2006); New Museum in New York (2002); the Castello di Rivoli in Turin (2002)-and in group exhibitions-including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (2012); Palazzo Grassi in Venice (2011); MAXXI in Rome (2010); Museion in Bolzano (2010); the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Tel Aviv (2009); the Guggenheim Museum in New York (2007); MAMbo in Bologna (2007); the P. S.1 in New York (2007); the Whitechapel in London (2006); the Grand Palais in Paris (2006); the Whitney Museum in New York (2006). He has also taken part in prestigious international contemporary art festivals such as the Venice Biennale (2001 and 2005), where in 2007 he represented Italy together with Giuseppe Penone selected by Ida Gianelli; the Shanghai Biennale (2006); the São Paulo Biennale (2004); the Liverpool Biennale (2002); the Tirana Biennale (2001).

 

Event promoted by
AMACI – Association of Italian Contemporary Art Museums

With the support of
Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism – Directorate General for Contemporary Art and Architecture and Urban Peripheries

Bronze Medal of the Senate of the Republic

Under the Patronage of
Representation in Italy of the European Commission
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
Senate of the Republic
Chamber of Deputies
Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces
UPI – Union of Provinces of Italy
ANCI – National Association of Italian Municipalities

Main partner
UniCredit Group

Technology Partner
Telecom Italia

With the contribution of
Terna SpA

Friendly Partner
Tuscany Region