“Villa Firenze Contemporanea” – The Best of Contemporary Italian Art and Design in Washington DC
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Edited by Renata Cristina Mazzantini. Photographs by Massimo Listri
The Project
The project Villa Firenze Contemporanea was inaugurated on October 19th in the presence of selected representatives from the American and Italian-American cultural, media, and economic communities.
“It is a formidable initiative of cultural diplomacy and growth,” emphasized Italian Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, “bringing a selection of the best in contemporary Italian art and design from the ’50s 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, the 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 additional opportunity to appreciate Italian genius in contemporary art and design.”
Villa Firenze Contemporanea, an integrated promotional and cultural initiative 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, placing them in the context of the Tudor-style architecture of Villa Firenze. The exhibition-installation includes various creative expressions, from figurative to abstract, from conceptual to environmental art, from painting to sculpture, and also features around thirty objects designed by Italians and produced by Italian companies—all strictly Made in Italy and at the same time indicative of reciprocal ties and influences between Italian creators and the United States. The setup is illustrated in a catalogue with photos by Maestro Massimo Listri, published by Treccani.
Villa Firenze Contemporanea aims to highlight Italian contemporary art and, at the same time, the excellence of Made in Italy design through a high-profile showcase for artists, designers, and Italian companies, intending to strengthen 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.
For more information, please contact the Cultural Affairs Office at culturale.washington@esteri.it
Villa Firenze Contemporanea in the media
Villa Firenze Contemporanea (edra.com)
Italian Embassy Residence Goes Contemporary (Washington Life Magazine)
Relive the inauguration of Villa Firenze Contemporanea
Art at Villa Firenze
Design at Villa Firenze
Achille e Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Art works granted by
Archivio Pietro Consagra (Collezione Eredi Pietro Consagra)
Fondazione Giorgio e Isa De Chirico
Palazzo Albizzini Collezione Burri
Design works granted by
