When one speaks of Tuscany, it is natural to think of artists and illustrious personalities of past eras who were born between Florence and the hills of Chianti, where the waters of the Arno River sinuously flow. It is precisely on one of these hills that stands Villa Artimino, historically known as La Ferdinanda because it was built on commission by Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1596 and recognised this year as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, it could only be this historic and prestigious residence the venue of the first of many artistic and cultural events that will start thanks to the synergic collaboration with the Florence Biennale, an international contemporary art event that has been taking place in the Tuscan capital since 1997, bringing together contemporary artists from all over the world in ten days, and that was also recognised at the last edition with the patronage of the Florence UNESCO Centre.
The aim, in a place with rich history and charm, is to exhibit the works of contemporary artists in a combination of the art of the past and of our time, thus intensifying cultural and artistic exchanges between Tuscany and countries around the world, with the aim of creating a cultural network in close synergy with a territory that has its roots in the Renaissance humus. In the future, the project envisages at least two exhibitions per year at the Villa Artimino complex and numerous cultural initiatives dedicated to young artists and designers.
A foretaste of this series of events is the exhibition The Laws of Perspective by the Dutch artist Wessel Huisman, a multiple prize-winner at the Florence Biennale, who on this occasion presents a series of works in the rooms of the Hotel Paggeria Medicea, in the Villa Artimino complex, which will later be exhibited at the Shanghai International Art Fair.
