THE QUEEN AT FERMI

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth II promises to become the star attraction of the exhibition: “I Pittori della Realta” (Artists of Reality” ) running at the Palazzo dei Priori Gallery, Fermi (Marche). She shares pride of place among formidable masters spanning three centuries of art, from the '600 to the '900, including a Rubens “Adoration of the Magi” and two Giorgio de Chirico masterpieces.

The painting of the Queen, commissioned around the time of her coronation in 1953 and completed in two years by the celebrated Italian artist Piero Annigoni, was painted in Buckingham Palace between 1954-55. It was an instant success and was reproduced on banknotes and stamps all over the Commonwealth. The Fermi portrait is not, however, the original – considered too precious to be transported from London, but a perfect copy made in 1960 by Annigoni's leading apprentice, Romano Stefanelli for a private collector in Florence. It is considered an exact replica and is countersigned with the master's mark of guarantee.

The Fermi exhibition aims to highlight a lesser known aspect of the progression of art movements through three centuries when there was strong counter movements grew up against Modernism, in which groups of artists attempted to preserve the traditions of the past. Keeping the Queen company are works by artists Gregorio Sciltian, brothers Xavier and Antonio Bueno, contemporaries of Annigoni, as well as others who were part of “The Painters of Reality” movement.

The exhibition contains 80 works and is part of a cycle of cultural events centred in the Marche region throughout 2023. Running until May 2023.

Info: Tel. +39.0734.284244/347 www.fermomusei.it

Posted on 19 Feb 2023 by Editor

VIAREGGIO GIANTS CELEBRATE 150 YEARS

The Viareggio Carnival, one of Italy's most elaborate pre-Lent festivities, took off on the 4th February 2023 and culminates on Shrive Tuesday, the 25th Feb. The year's event is extra special, as the town is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its celebrated parade, which attracts tourists from all over the world.. The Viareggio (Tuscany) Carnival is arguably the most spectacular in Italy, with a procession of huge floats that parade along the seafront, many containing satirical and political messages. Nine gigantic allegorical floats compete for first prize, along with a long procession of lesser floats in other categories, surrounded by huge crowds of masked revellers and dancers. The 1st category floats are enormous constructions that loom over 125 m high over the heads of the crowds of spectators, with some 250 dancers on board. The procession is repeated on five different days of the Carnival season.

Viareggio's Carnival dates back to 1873 and has grown from strength to strength ever since, with floats designed by artists and constructed by workers in the nearby naval shipyards. In 1925, the technique of papier mache was perfected by artist Antonio D'Arliano, superseding wood and other materials. This allowed the figures to be lighter in weight and more easily modelled. The construction of the floats has become an important industry for the city with the creation of the Citadella di Carnivale workshops where artists build the gigantic figures. This year offers a special exhibition on the History of the event , staged in the Viareggio Gallery of Modern Art. The Citadella of Carnival is also open to visitors, with the Carnival Museum and the 16 hangers where the floats are built. The artists involved also turn their hands to theatre set design.

Over 25 craft workshops are involved in the creation of the scenography of the floats, which change their theme every year. This year's message is: “Dreams, Hopes, Desire for a better world.” that needs no comment.......

M.STENHOUSE

Info: Tel. +39.0584.580740 https://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com

Posted on 14 Feb 2023 by Editor

THE SECRET GARDENS OF VENICE

For many years, Venice's gardens have been a well-kept secret. Few tourists even knew about the Royal Gardens just off Piazza San Marco, commissioned by Napoleon at the end of the 18th century when he occupied the city. The landscaped 5000 sqm of peaceful paths, luxuriant vegetation, a neoclassical pavilion, pergola and a drawbridge connected with the Piazza, were finally reopened to the public in 2019 after a five year-long restoration work commissioned by the Venice Gardens Foundation and carried out by the celebrated garden architect Paolo Pejroni, a former pupil of Russell Page.

The Venice Gardens Foundation, a non profit organization. has now embarked on another project: the recovery of the gardens of the Monastery of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, which sits on the Giudecca Canal. The restoration is a joint venture, also involving the Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin, who have occupied the monastery since 1535, and the Holy See.

The monastery land covers just under 2.50 acres, stretching from the Giudecca Canal to the lagoon and includes vineyards, botanical gardens, a 400m-long pergola, a greenhouse, a bee-keeping area, an ancient chapel and a library.

According to Venice Gardens Foundation president Adele Re Rebaudengo, the gardens will subsequently be open to the public who visit the magnificent Palladio-designed Most Holy Redeemer church, (commonly referred to simply as “Il Redentore”), one of the most outstanding buildings in Venice and a city landmark.

Info: Tel. +39.041.3121700/8876621 www.venicegardensfoundation.org

Posted on 10 Feb 2023 by Editor

 

ITALY LAUNCHING “REDISCOVERING ROOTS” YEAR

 

The “Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia Association” has finally brought out is long-awaited guide book in English, under the title “The Most Beautiful Borghi of Italy”. The word “borghi” was not translated on purpose, because the “Borghi” are not simply pretty villages, but historical old towns full of works of art, landmark buildings and monuments, harmonious architecture and exclusive places of interest.

The Association, founded in 2001 to promote villages and towns outside the normal tourism circuits, has boomed over the years and now has a membership of 348 small towns scattered all over the Italian peninsula – a considerable number, considering that membership is governed by a strict criteria with 72 different parameters that have to be met to qualify.

The new English language edition was presented in London at the beginning of 2022 and will be launched in New York and Canada later in the year, in concurrence with the 2024 “Anno del Turismo delle Radici” (directed at 3rd and 4th generation Italian immigrants to encourage them to visit Italy in order to rediscover their roots), promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

The borghi listed in the book have a wide range of unexpected attractions that distinguish them from the others. Some examples: Scanno in Abruzzo is celebrated for its heart-shaped lake (a favourite for St. Valentine trips), Monteverde in Campania is the chosen nesting place for the rare black stork, little Bouville Ernica in the hinterland of Lazio possesses a forgotten Giotto angel.

Info: Tel. +39.06.45450688 www.borghipiubelliditalia.it

Posted on 06 Feb 2023 by Editor

VERONA'S FALLING STAR

Experts are still estimating the damage caused by the fall of the 78 ton “Star” comet sculpture that bridged the ancient Roman Verona amphitheatre and the outside Piazza Bra in the city centre. The massive 70m high and 82m long steel “Star of Bethlehem”, created by architect-scenographer Rinaldo Olivieri in 1984, has been a fixed feature of the Verona Christmas season ever since.

Unfortunately, its career may be over. A fatal mistake in the complex operation to remove the sculpture caused it to fall and crash into the celebrated Arena, venue of the prestigious summer opera season, causing what experts called “irreparable damage” to the cavea, which dates back to 30 AD.

The “Star” was originally meant to be one-only fixture, and was much criticized by culture experts when it was first installed, but was subsequently greeted with such affection by the local people that it has become the symbol of the Verona Christmas, erected every year.. A recent opinion poll has established that three quarters of those questioned want the Star to be repaired and set up next Christmas.

M. STENHOUSE

Info: Fondazione Arena di Verona Tel. +39.045596517 www.arena.it info@arenadiverona.it

Posted on 02 Feb 2023 by Editor

NATIONAL PARK'S LATE LAMENTED BEAR

Animal lovers are in mourning for the death of Juan Carrito, the most famous wild bear in the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, hit by a car while he was ambling along the verge of a road that cut through the park. Juan Carrito was a three-year old brown Marsical bear, who lived, free to roam over the wild mountainous territory of the Central Apennines. But unfortunately, Juan Carrito seemed to prefer human company to solitude. He had become a common sight wandering at night through the streets of the mountain villages and even climbing up on balconies to take a look around. He became so bold that he broke into shops and henhouses to steal food and climbed up trees in family orchards to eat the fruit.

A couple of years ago, for his own safety, park rangers transferred him by helicopter to a more remote area far from human habitation. However, he soon found his way back to his old haunts and habits.

Juan Carrito was one of an estimated 50 Marsican bears that have been officially recorded to inhabit the territory of what is Italy's oldest Nature Reserve, established in 1923. The Marsican bear is native to Italy - a sub-species of the European brown bear - and is in danger of extinction, so the recent loss was much lamented. He got his peculiar Spanish-sounding name because he was first identified in the hamlet of Carrito (a name of Spanish origin) in the heart of the Park.

“It's as if a member of the family has left us,” remarked Park Director Luciano Sammarone sadly.

Info: Tel. +39.0863.91131 www.parcoabruzzo.it

Posted on 29 Jan 2023 by Editor

VALCAMONICA - the MYSTERIOUS TRACES OF THE ANCIENTS

Within its territory, Brescia, twinned with Bergamo as this year's Italian Capital of Culture, has one of the world's most significant prehistoric sites. Some ninety kilometres north of the city lies the mountain valley of Valcamonica, with one of the most extensive collections of prehistoric petroglyphs in the world.

The thousand acre area was the first Italian heritage site to be listed by UNESCO in 1979. It contains thousands of figurines and symbols carved on the surface of the rocks, dating from the Mesolithic period through the Iron Age. The images depict ritualized figures, such as warriors, hunters, dancers, ploughmen, wild animals and birds.

Two of the most intriguing carvings within the territory are the so-called “Rosa Camuna”, which has been adopted as the logo of the Lombardy region, and the “Map of Bedolina”, believed to portray the layout of the surrounding countryside and settlements.

The site is divided into four protected areas. The central information office is at Capo di Ponte, Naquane.

Info: Tel. +39.036442140www.archeocamuni.it

Posted on 26 Jan 2023 by Editor

BERGAMO / BRESCIA TWINNED FOR PRIZE

For the first time two Italian cities, Bergamo and Brescia (Lombardia), have joined forces to capture the coveted denomination of “Italian City of Culture 2023.” The prize, introduced by former Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, is awarded anually to a municipality that produces the best initiatives to promote its cultural image and consequently boost tourism. The prize brings €1m to the winner of the best project. The 2022 winner was the small island of Procida off the coast of Naples which offered a programme of 44 innovative projects and 154 events distributed throughout the entire year.

Bergamo and Brescia were the cities worst hit at the onset of the Covid pandemic and the inaugural “Festival of Light” ceremony with the theme “Light is Life” is also intended as a tribute to the memory of the many victims.

The two cities have packed parallel programmes throughout the year, with art exhibitions, concerts and other major events.

For details of the full programme: www.bergamobrescia2023.it

Posted on 22 Jan 2023 by Editor

 

CHINESE ARTISTS ON SHOW IN ROME

In conjunction with the current Chinese New Year, Palazzo Merulana, one of Rome's leading cultural centres for modern and contemporary art, is holding an exhibition of the works of a group of young Chinese artists that are studying Italian art at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. The unusual event has been organized by the Associazione Seconde Generazioni Cinesi in collaboration with the Paris-based Guanghua Cultures et Media group, publishers of the “Europe Daily News”, the leading European newspaper in the Chinese language.

The exhibition, entitled “UP” and curated by Chinese contemporary art expert Liliana Liao, demonstrates the growing interest in China for Western art and Italian art in particular. The present study course is intended as a bridge between two very different traditions, where each culture can learn from the other. According to “Up” organizers, the art market in China is very active at this moment, showing ever increasing interest in international cross-border trends.

The Palazzo Merulana venue is known for a tradition of ground breaking exhibitions of contemporary and experimental art. The splendid late 19th century building was formerly an abandoned medical centre, which was purchased and restored by entrepreneurs Claudio and Elena Cerasi. The four-storey building also houses the Cerasi private collection of leading 20th century artists like Giacomo Balla, Mario Sironi, Giorgio de Chirico, Mario Schifani and others of the Roman School.

According to the 12 year Chinese lunar calendar, this year is The Year of the Rabbit which the Chinese welcome as a positive sign, representing prosperity, luck and tranquility.

The “Up” exhibition runs between the 22nd January - 5th February 2023.

M.STENHOUSE

Info: Tel.+39.3996.7800 www.palazzomerulana.it ufficiostampa.leeloo@gamil.com

Posted on 19 Jan 2023 by Editor

 

LITTLE PRINCE OF CASERTA BACK ON VIEW

The interest shown by visitors in the sculpture of the “Little Prince of Caserta,” which was on exhibit last year 2022 in the Cappella Palatina in the Royal Palace of Naples, has prompted curators to put it on permanent show. This time, the life-size image of the baby prince Carlo Tito, born in 1775 and the first male heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Naples, has been placed inside the newly restored royal bedroom in the Palace of Caserta, just outside Naples. His mother, Queen Maria Carolina of Austria, commissioned the portrait of the sleeping infant from the sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino, author of the celebrated Cristo Velato” (the Veiled Christ) in the Sansevero Chapel Museum, one of the most admired artistic treasures of Naples.

Unfortunately Carlo Tito died at the age of four. The Little Prince sculpture lies on a cushion near the royal bed under the painting by the artist Girolamo Pompeo Batoni depicting himself and his little sister, Princess Marianne, who also died in infancy, being hoisted up to heaven by angels.

The Royal Palace of Caserta sits in an 11-acre park. Palace and gardens are open every day except Tuesday.

  1. STENHOUSE

Info: Tel. +39.0823.448084 https://reggiadicaserta.cultura.gov.it

Posted on 16 Jan 2023 by Editor

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