NEWS - FLORENCE
Photo by Giacomo Badiani
(Another) Controversial Sculpture
This time last year, Florence was in heated debate over the donation and permanent display of two statues from China. The incident almost turned into a diplomatic emergency.
A similar situation has unfolded this year over the temporary display of a bronze statue in Florence's Piazza Signoria.
The sculpture at the centre of the controversy is a 16-foot-high bronze made by New York-born artist Greg Wyatt, entitled Two Rivers.
Located just behind the Fountain of Neptune, Two Rivers, which was donated to the city of Florence, will be on display in Piazza Signoria until October 24 as part of an exhibition in Palazzo Vecchio's Sala d'Armi showcasing other works by Wyatt. The statue will then to be permanently displayed in Piazza Poggi, along with other sculptures by Florentine and New York artists.
However, on September 1, at the unveiling of Wyatt's work, the city's culture superintendent, Giuliano Da Empoli, said that the statue will be ‘temporarily placed in deposit' following its two-month stay in Piazza Signoria.
‘We might even auction it on eBay...eventually', da Empoli joked with journalists at the event. He also said that Florence needs to start re-evaluating its criteria for accepting and collecting artwork: ‘What needs to be changed is the system that previous administrations used in such circumstances, that of accepting donated works ad hoc and then finding a place for them in Florence. This approach was problematic and it is no longer feasible to go about matters in this way', he said.
While Wyatt commented that ‘everyone has their own opinion when it comes to art', he said he would like the opportunity to speak face-to-face with da Empoli on issues of Italian culture and contemporary art. Wyatt is no stranger to Italy or Florence. He has been spending time here since his first visit in 1974, and he cites as among his major inspirations Florentine Renaissance masterpieces such as those by Giambologna and Cellini that adorn Piazza Signoria.
Two Rivers was made to symbolize the creative forces linking the Arno River in Tuscany with the Hudson River in New York, both places where the artist finds ample inspiration. The Two Rivers exhibition will be at the Palazzo Vecchio's Sala d'Armi until November 24.
For more information, call the Palazzo Vecchio Museum at 055/2768325.
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