When the World Answered: Trailer from WFYI Productions on Vimeo.
WORLD PREMIERE/Flood on Film
October 20, 6.30pmOdeon Cinehall, piazza Strozzi, Florence
Come one, come all to the world premiere of the documentary When the World Answered: Florence, Women Artists and the 1966 Flood, based on the book by Linda Falcone and Jane Fortune, published by The Florentine Press. Falcone’s and Fortune’s debut documentary Invisible Women earned an Emmy for its in-depth look at forgotten women artists of the Renaissance. When the World Answered fasts forward to the1966 flood of the Arno, which destroyed over 14 thousand treasured artworks. After the disaster, Florence called on artists all over the world to donate their works, and the response was overwhelming, proving that love for the Renaissance city runs deep. Tickets are 8 euro at the door; pre-sale price is 10 euro and guarantees direct access to the theatre and a seat. Proceeds from the evening will go toward restorations by the Advancing Women Artists Foundation.
CONTEMPORARY/Florence BiennaleOctober 17–25Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi, Florence
Italy’s National Day of Contemporary Art has come and gone, but the day’s mission lives on here in Florence, where the tenth edition of the Contemporary Art Biennale is taking place. International artists from 62 countries will make their way to the Tuscan capital for cross-cultural dialogue and the presentation of the Lorenzo il Magnifico International Awards for excellence in varied disciplines. The Florence Biennale’s theme this year is Art and the Polis, tied to the ancient Greek philosophical idea of the ‘perfect city,’ and playing with the idea of the Fortezza as its own ‘city of art,’ bringing together emerging and established figures on the international scene in painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry and beyond. In addition to seeing the exhibits, the public can also attend meet and greets with the visiting artists, lectures, concerts and even dance performances. View the full program here.
FALL/Autumn is Coming: #StibbertinArt
October 17 & 18Limonaia of Museo Stibbert, via Montughi 4, Florence
Fall gets off to a fashionable and fun start at the Limonaia of the Stibbert Museum this weekend. Celebrate the first days of the season with Autumn is Coming: #StibbertinArt, which vaunts a full program of artisan workshops, museum visits, artistic performances and fashion market booths. This eclectic event begins with a juggling show at 5pm on Saturday, followed by a performance from Brick 24/7 and a funky DJ set by Michael Byrne. Get your brunch fix from 1pm on October 18 and beat the Sunday evening blues with a 6pm show by artistic collective Gatta Rossa. Throughout the weekend, there will be vintage clothing for sale, food and drink stands, and kids’ activities, including a special tour (in Italian) through the Japanese-themed rooms of the museum on Saturday afternoon. Call 333/8622307 to book visits and workshops; for Sunday brunch reservations, call 389/1067456.
MUSIC/Dave Matthews Band
October 18, 8pmNelson Mandela Forum, viale Malta 6, Florence
Under the Table and Dreaming was the soundtrack to many a college party back in 1994. Sure, DMB has seen its heyday, but quad-sprawling co-eds of the ‘90s and early aughts will still head to the Mandela Forum in droves to see Matthews and company! Hailing from Charlottesville, Virginia, DMB developed their early following through their heavily instrumental fusion sound, which later gave way to Top 40 tunes like ‘Crash Into Me’ and ‘The Space Between.’ Concertgoers can expect lengthy, improvised variations on DMB’s hits, a trademark of their shows. At press time, tickets were still available via D’Alessandro e Galli.
