Florence Biennale

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The Florence Biennale is an international contemporary art exhibition held every two years in the Historical Fortezza da Basso in Florence, Italy. The Biennale is run by Arte Studio, whose first contemporary art exhibition occurred in 1986. Subsequent exhibits grew, and they eventually formed the first Biennale in 1997. Brothers Pasquale and Piero Celona, of Arte Studio, serve as President and General Manager of the Biennale. They also serve on the twelve member international awards jury. The most recent Biennale was held in Florence from December 1-9, 2007.

According to Arte Studio, in 2007 there were 840 artists from 76 countries, and over 17,000 visitors. Artists cover the expenses of their exhibits through international sponsorships plus their own funds. Participants create a temporary, but far-reaching, international community of artists in Florence. For example, Terrance Allen, a visual artist from Walhallow community, Kamilaroi country, Caroona in north-west New South Wales was the only Indigenous Australian artist to exhibit in 2005. He states: "Having the opportunity to share Aboriginal art, culture and history is a privilege that I consider my duty.” [1]

In collaboration with the United Nations, the Biennale is also an official participant in the “Dialogue Among Civilizations” program. [2] "Artists have a special role to play in the global struggle for peace. . . Art opens new doors for learning, understanding, and peace among people and nations," said UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2003. [3]

The Scientific Committee of the Florence Biennale invites artists in the following categories: painting, sculpture, graphics, mixed media, installation, photography and digital art. Also in 2007, The Ars Electronica Center of Linz, a museum of digital art that organises the Prix Ars Electronica, the Ars Electronica Festival and the Ars Electronica Futurelab, had 300 square meters available to present digital art, interactive videos and to allow visitors to enter into the world of virtual reality.

From 1998 to 2005, the director of the Biennale was art historian and critic John Spike. The new Art Director is, Emanuel von Lauestein Massarani, Secretary of Culture and Superintendent of Cultural Heritage in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

[edit] Details from participants and visitors:

Participants are solicited by the organizers via email, postal invitations, and personal telephone calls. The process starts more than one year before the event and artists who have an art website showing talent or cultural value are almost certain to be invited. In this way, with few exceptions, the artist selection is done without prejudice of style or school. Both high quality art and less advanced art with cultural value is displayed. The event allows artists coming to Florence from all over the world to meet, discuss their art, and share unique cultural perspectives and experiences. For 2007, the participant exhibit fee was 2400 euros. Total costs for travel, shipping, and lodging can more than double that price. The exhibit fee included admittance to an over twenty forums and presentations, plus each participant was given a 900 page, hardbound, full-color catalog of artist biographies and artwork examples. The Biennale catalog also lists the dozens of international businesses and organizations that sponsor many artists by paying their exhibit fees. Some artists consider this event a "vanity exhibit" (i.e., there is a fee for artists), but they are still happy to participate.