Past Editions

Pasquale and Piero Celona found the Florence Biennale. Artists from around the world come to Florence and give breath of life to a multicultural event.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Carla Fracci – Etoile at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Dolorès Puthod – Painter, set designer a the Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Ferruccio Soleri – Actor. For years he played as Harlequin at the Piccolo Teatro, Milan

Marta Marzotto is the host of the opening ceremony.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Mario Luzi – Italian poet and writer

Jacopo Celona joins the organization.

The Florence Biennale is the first exhibition in wich artists from different countries express their thoughts and feelings about the tragic events of 11 September 2001.

The Florence Biennale joins the “United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilization” programme.

Collateral events:

– “The Coat of Arms of the Popes for the Jubilee”, an exhibition of 29 artworks by Renata Minuto to celebrate the Jubilee.

– exhibition of twelve artworks by HRH Prince Charles of Wales.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Chen Cheng-Hsiung – Chen is a pioneer of abstract painting. He has devoted over 60 years to the creation of modern painting and related theory

Collateral events:

– display of the cast of Michelangelo’s Pietà set up by the Restoration Laboratory of the Vatican Museum.

– exhibition of drawings by Pininfarina, and vintage automobiles set up by Ferrari S.p.a.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

David Hockney – Foremost British artist and exponent of the Pop Art.

Restoration Laboratories of the Vatican Museums – An excellence in the conservation of cultural heritage.

Ferrari – An excellence in the worlds of motor and design.

Close collaboration with the India Triennale, New Dehli.

Close collaboration with the Turku Biennial, Finland.

Collateral events:

– preview of the Olympic Torch designed by Pininfarina for the Winter Olympics to be held in Turin in 2006.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Christo and Jeanne-Claude – Foremost exponent of the Land Art

TOROC – Organizer of the Winter Olympic in Turin, 2006

Harley-Davidson – for their engineering and creativity in the motorcycle world

The Florence Biennale receives from the actress Anne Archer the “Artists for Human Rights” Award for the commitment to crosscultural dialogue.

Collateral events:

– exhibition of interactive videos and digital installations set up by the Ars Electronica Center, Linz.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Gilbert & George – artistic sodalice who conied the motto “Art for All”.

The Florence Biennale introduces the Charter of the Artist of the New Millenium presented during the XXXIII World Congress of UNESCO Centers held at Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Collateral events:

– International conference: “Neo-Humanism: Art, Ethics and Aesthetics at the Dawn of the New Millenium”, Florence, Palazzo Vecchio, Salone dei 500

– more than ten exhibitions in public spaces, with the Patronage of the Municipality of Florence

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Sir Anish Kapoor – Artist who explores new frontiers in sculpture

Franco Mussica – Musician, composer and artist

Henryk Jurkowski – Theatre historian and puppet theatre specialist

The XI^th Florence Biennale aims at contributing to envision a future in which creativity and sustainability are inspiring principles of an artistic and cultural ‘ecosystem’ within a world that is respectful of nature and life forms on Earth.

Collateral events:

– Assembly of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Teatro Lorenese.

– Lorenzo il Magnifico Lifetime Achievement Award to Sauro Cavallini, in memoriam.

– Performance by Tim Bengel, guest artist. Ceremony: Special Award from the President of the Florence Biennale to Tim Bengel.

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

El Anatsui – Artist who works with materials from discarded objects such as metals and wood

Arata Isozaki – Architect who designs architectural complexes that bring in the heritage from Eastern and Western cultures

Special Award: Tim Bengel – German artist who works with sand according to the mandala tradition

PATRONAGES 

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

2019 was the year of the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo Da Vinci, to whom the Florence Biennale dedicated the theme of its XII edition. This choice also became the pretext for introducing a new exhibition section for the design category.

Collateral Events:

– Exhibition of the project “One world One Face” by Adoratorio, Digital Creative Agency

– Exhibition of the artworks and workshop “Maris Art Project” by Liku Maria Takahashi

– Study Day on Leonardo da Vinci

“LORENZO IL MAGNIFICO” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Gustavo Aceves – Sculptor

Refik Anadol – Innovative and visionary artist

Franco Zeffirelli – Director, screenwriter and creator of sets and costumes

Special Award of the President:

Anthony Howe – American artist who creates sculptures that come to life in a spiral movement

Mice Jankulovski – Macedonian artist and architect performing large monochrome abstract paintings

Han Yuchen – Painter

“LEONARDO DA VINCI” LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo – Founder and President of the famous fashion house

Elsa Peretti – Jewelry designer for Tiffany & Co.

Paula Scher – Graphic designer