From the 10th to the 13th of March this year visitors to Florence will be able to participate in ARTOUR-O, an unusual art tour in Florence featuring conventions and exhibitions that highlight the relationship between territory and contemporary art, endorsing Italy’s artistic production. Through this event, participants will also get the opportunity to discover this charming Italian city and discover some of its many beautiful landmarks and monuments.
ARTOUR-O, unusual art tour in Florence this 2011
ARTOUR-O comprises all forms of art from sculptures and videos, to paintings, performing arts, photography, design, and multimedia, and those events which are curated by Italy’s most prominent art experts are held in some of Florence’s most recognisable landmarks, including historic palaces, museums, galleries and piazzas.
Thus, the main exhibition is based in the Grand Hotel Minerva on Piazza Santa Maria Novella whilst the various other venues hosting parts of the event include some of the most prestigious contemporary art galleries in the city such as the Alinari National Museum of Photography, the Archaeological Museum and the Bigallo Museum. The route starts at Piazza Santa Maria Novella and snakes through the entire city passing through the aforementioned participating galleries and venues, amongst others.
This event is a great opportunity for tourists and locals to discover authentic contemporary Italian art as ARTOUR doesn’t follow usual artistic conventions but attempts to create not a show but an exhibition in a real home context. To give you an idea of what ARTOUR-O is about, according to them the tour was conceived with the greatest degree of cultural and artistic flexibility in mind, with the aim of avoiding fashionable trends. Indeed, ARTOU-O identifies itself with Pablo Picasso’s statement that “If a work of art does not remain relevant to the present, it is not interesting”. Thus, during the event they attempt to identify those artists that can express themselves in a timeless way. Similarly, they choose to distribute the event over several venues because they wish to portray the concept that art has not limits, in either space or time.
In addition, one of the project’s other main aims is to unveil work by young artists and discover unknown artists who are sharing their unique creativity and potential with the world for the first time.
So, now you know, if you fancy discovering some of the most beautiful buildings in Florence and admiring Italy’s contribution to the contemporary art world then this is the event for you.
Practical information:
Date: form the 10th-13th of March
Where: Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy (Grand Hotel Minerva)
Info: firenzecontemporanea
Price: 3.50 euro, concessions 2.50 euro
Opening times: Daily 9am to 5pm (from 1pm Friday and Sunday)
Telephone: +39 010 2474544
Email: info@artour-o.com
