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| Artistic Director Of the FB |
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Artistic Director
Stefano Francolini was born in Colle Val d’Elsa (SI) in 1951. Graduated in Philosophy and Literature at the University
of Florence, later he Post graduated in Medieval and Modern Art History. From 1978 to 1981 he worked at the Office for the
Artistic and Historical Heritage, as Art Historian in Siena and Grosseto, becoming Art Inspector/Historian at the Office for
the Artistic, environmental, historical and architectural heritage in Cagliari and Oristano. In 1982 he starts working at
the Office for the Artistic, environmental, historical and architectural heritage in Florence and Pistoia.
After few years
becomes Vice-Director at the Museum degli Argenti in Palazzo Pitti (Florence), afterwards also for the Notifications Office
and the Gabinetto Fotografico.
For 10 years, since 1989, he was the officer for the Basilicas with jurisdiction in Florence
city. From 1993 until 2000 was Director of the Museum Palazzo Davanzati and the Antique Florentine House. In 1999 the Accademy
Florentia Mater awards him with the Prize “Pro Bonis Artibus”for his labour to enrich Florentine culture. In 2000
as Art Historian and Director/Coordinator for the Ministry of cultural activities, he directed the Restoration Area of the
Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence, where he also taught art history.
He has also collaborated as a teacher with the
International University of Art in Florence, The European University Centre for the Cultural Heritage in Ravello (SA) and
with the Accademy of Fine Arts in Carrara where he still teaches Restoration History and theory in the same Institute and
from 2003 until 20055 has directed the restoration Department of the Manufatti Metallici Bronzei of Antique Weapons and the
Paradise door by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
He has organized several contemporary art shows, he was the first artistic Director
of the Florence Biennale in 1997 and has been a member of the International Jury in all the following editions. Author of
many books about art, history and poetry.
The American contingent for 2007 was over 60 attendants with many more shipping their work to Italy.
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| 2007 Entrance to the Castle convention center |
| Ana Bikic 2007 |
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| The Editor |
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The 2009 International Jury
The international jury has, for many years, played a very important role in the life of the Biennial. Its role is to
assess the artists that take part in the exhibition and provide them with the international award for art and culture "Lorenzo
il Magnifico". In past editions famous art critics and historians such as Barbara Rose, Dore Ashton, Teresa Ortega
Coca, Veronika Birke, Former Director of the Albertina Museum of Vienna and Julian Zugazagoitia, Director of the Barrio Museum
of New York, have been part of the event. The art critic and Art Director of the Biennale from 1999 to 2005, John T. Spike,
was also a part of the jury. The jury had the honour of awarding important artists in the art world such as Christo
& Jeanne-Claude, Richard Anuszkiewicz, David Hockney, Mario Luzi, Alfredo Zalce, Carla Fracci and Ferruccio Soleri. Furthermore,
important institutions such as the Restoration Laboratory of the Vatican Museums and the Ferrari have also been awarded. Pasquale CelonaPresident of the Biennale and the
International JuryPiero CelonaGeneral
Director of the BiennaleStefano FrancoliniArtistic Director of the Florence Biennale 2009, Art historian, Former Director of the
C3 Super of the Ministry of the Cultural Activities, Florence. - ItalyFrancesco
BuranelliGeneral Manager of the Pontifical Commission for the Church’s Cultural
Beings.Bianca Laura Petretto
Curator,
journalist, expert on modern and Asian arts - Italy.Gerfried StockerArtistic Director of the Ars Electronica Center of Linz - Austria.Elza
AjzenbergCoordinator of Program of Post-Graduation interunits in Aesthetic and
History of Art, University of Sao Paulo - BrazilPang Bang Ben
Artist, Editor and Writer, Professor and Counselor of Center of Fine arts College, Beijing.Matty Roca
Art Historian, President of the Council for Arts
and Culture, Cancun - MessicoRosa TejadaAssociate
Museum Educator of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York - USAR.B. BhaskaranFormer chairman Lalit Kala Akademi, Government of India, New Delhi Ministry of culture. Principal-College
of Arts, Chennai, India; eminent painter and print maker.Gregorio Luke
Art Critic, Curator and Expert on Latinamerican art, has extensively lectured on mexican art in Museums
and Universities in Usa, Europe and Mexico.Dominique Edouard BaechlerProfessor of Art History and Art Critic - Paris - FranceThe
2007 International JuryEmanuel von Luestein MassaraniDavid
S. RubinElza AjzenbergMatty RocaRosa TejadaR.B. BhaskaranStefano
FrancoliniGregorio LukeDominique Edouard BaechlerFrancesco BuranelliThe 2005 International JuryBarbara RoseVeronika BirkeDavid
RubinStefano FrancoliniElza AjzenbergJulian ZugazagoitiaR.B. BhaskaranJohn
T. SpikeThe 2003 International Jury
Barbara
RoseVeronika BirkeDavid RubinStefano FrancoliniDore AshtonJerry
CullumKevin PowerJohn T. SpikeTeresa Ortega CocaMatty RocaThe
2001 International JuryBarbara RoseVeronika
BirkeDavid RubinStefano FrancoliniJohn T. SpikeTeresa Ortega CocaMatty
RocaThe 1999 International JuryGuy
CogevalVeronika BirkeFrancis NaumannStefano FrancoliniJohn T. SpikeTeresa
Ortega CocaThe 1997 International JuryMatty
RocaPaolo LeviStefano FrancoliniJohn T. Spike
In 1997 Mary Clancy was the only American participant in the Florence Biennale.
The opening ceremony for the Florence Biennale 2007 had the blessings of the Italian Prime Minister and the
City Mayor's Officals present the Colors. Purple with gold banners and flags contrasted the iconic red fleur de lis on
white that is the city's crest. Florence was saved from the destruction of WWII as it's artistic value was recognised
by both Allied and Axis forces .
The Florence Biennale has been recognised by the United Nations for its important contribution to dialogue and
peace innovations. Heads of State often have arrived impromtu to the event . Artists represent themselves and curation and
interveiws occur throughout the ten days of the congress.
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History
The sixth edition of the Biennale dell’Arte Contemporanea di Firenze will be
held from 1st to 9th December. The Biennale will include the presence of important artists individuals such as Gilbert & George, who will receive the “Lorenzo il Magnifico”award for their career. Biennale 2005The 2005 edition had a huge participation by the public and the presence of 768 artists from 80 countries. During
the exhibition Christo & Jeanne-Claude and Richard Anuszkiewicz, were awarded with the highest recognition of the Flroence Biennale, the "Lorenzo il Magnifico" award for their career achievement.
The International Biennale of Contemporary Art of Florence would like to thank John T. Spike
for his precious collaboration as Art Director of the past editions. Biennale 2003 The fourth Biennale of Florence turned out to be the most comprehensive exhibition of international contemporary
art thanks to the participation of 891 artists from more than 72 countries. When thousands of stimulating works of art in
all artistic fields, arriving from far away destinations are brought together, they create a spectacular laboratory of global
creativeness, even if it is just for a short period of time. The challenge for everybody is clear: can a 10 day event produce
results that last even longer than the “shock of something new”? Biennale 2001 The third edition of the Biennial will be remembered as the first and largest exhibition in which artists from all
over the world have expressed their reactions to the tragic events of 11th September in New York. On this occasion the Biennial
adheres to the United Nations programme “Year of Dialogue among Civilisation”. We can use the words of
the ex Secretary of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, as an example: "I See...dialogue as a chance
for people of different cultures and traditions to get to know each other better, whether they live on opposite sides of the
world or on the same street."Biennale 1999 The second edition of the Biennial included the participation of 532 artists from 33 countries, proposing an opportunity
to exchange experiences and as a meeting point in the world of contemporary art. Biennale 1997 The first edition of the International Biennial of Contemporary Art opens its doors in Florence, a city with historical
connections to culture and art, that reveals the charm of contemporary art through this exhibition. It proposes itself in
a new way within a historical context par excellence, making this event unique. More than 300 artists from 20 countries took
part in this first edition.
The Florence Biennale has two committees that elect the artists for the Event every two years.
The Internal Committee is comprised of the Orginators of the event Senors Celonas and selected Art professionals The
second commitee of jurors are formed from Museums and Foundations from around the world called the Scientific Committee.
The short list for artist invitations to the Biennale produce a varied selection from over 40 different countries .
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| Fortessa di Basso , Firenze. |
The Medicci Awards are named after the Historical forefather and celebrated Artist and Scientist of Florence. These
are given out at the closing ceremony after the Gala Banquet .
| Editor Ana Bikic |
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