1997 EDITION - FB
1997 EDITION
A new model of international exhibition
Founded in 1997 as the International Exhibition of Contemporary Art of Florence, the current Florence Biennale came into being the answer to the need to host a healthy intercultural and interdisciplinary discussion, that turned into a lively debate focused on a broad and complete vision of the artistic experience.
This first experiment was welcomed with great success, with over 20 countries replying to its invitation: the artists had the opportunity not only to converse with the public, but also to compare individual experiences as well as the results of their personal artistic endeavours.
The Florence Biennale has immediately established itself as an extraordinary event of commitment to a radically innovative international event model.
Contemporary art was at a turning point in those years: with this event for the first time artists were able to detach themselves from the popular trends. The triangle consisting of studio, gallery and museum (or collection) that had always helped bring artists to the limelight was showing signs of failure.
The Florence Biennale was founded with this spirit: there had never been, until its foundation, an international event with such a direct connection between an artist’s studio and the audience of an exhibition. Its purpose was – and still is – to offer to the many gifted young and career artists the opportunity to exhibit their recent works and to contribute in an overview of the most up-to-date artistic forms.
All of this is played out against the backdrop of Florence, a Renaissance city that is called upon to once again take on its ancestral role of being a free space for the arts and a stage for the inspirations of every kind of artist. The city steps forward in a new way into this new historical context, and in so doing truly marks the Biennale as a unique event.
First Edition Lifetime Achievement Awards
The sponsor of the first edition was Carla Fracci, the acclaimed Étoile of La Scala of Milano, who received the “Lorenzo il Magnifico” Lifetime Achievement Award. Other two internationally acclaimed individuals were also present: Ferruccio Soleri, the legendary actor who played Arlecchino at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano, was awarded the “Lorenzo il Mangifico” Award in recognition of his interdisciplinary contributions to art and culture, and Dolorès Puthod, an artist and set designer at La Scala of Milano, who was honoured for having dedicated all of her artistic efforts to the graphic design of the Commedia dell’Arte.
Artistic Director: Stefano Francolini
Patronages
Regional Council of Tuscany
Province of Florence
City of Florence
International Jury
Stefano Francolini – Art Historian and Director of the Davanzati Museum of Florence (ITALY)
Paolo Levi – Art Historian and Expert in Art and Finance (ITALY)
Matty Roca – Art Critic (MEXICO)
John T. Spike – Art Historian (USA)
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