Your Thursday Forecast: best events in Florence

ART/ Restoration Conversations: The New Woman Behind the Camera

6.30pm, November 16

From the 1920s to the 1950s, women photographers changed history by capturing it. On November 16, Restoration Conversations will feature exhibition curator Andrea Nelson with sights and insight from The New Woman Behind the Camera, on show at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. until January 30, 2022, following its three-month stint at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Showcasing the talent of 120 photographers from 20 countries including Italy, India, Japan, USA, France and Mexico, it exemplifies a period of newfound professional independence for women in a shifting century. As social and political change triggered the rise and fall of regimes, the “new woman” carved her place in the field of photojournalism. Labour protests and peace marches, air pilots and freed prisoners of war, these photographs are signs of their times. Portraiture, still-life and self-representation also gained a new edge as professionals like Tina Modotti, Wanda Wulz, Tsuneko Sasamoto, Homai Vyarawalla and Alma Levenson explored a principle espoused by US photographer Dorothea Lange: ‘To be good, photographs have to be full of the world.’ To join the event, tune into The Florentine’s YouTube channel at 6.30pm on November 16 with host Linda Falcone. 

CINEMA/ Lo Schermo dell’Arte

November 10-14

Matthew Barney’s Redoubt kicks off the 14th edition of the festival dedicated to cinema and contemporary art that’s completed by Land of Dreams directed by Shirin Neshat (present at the screening) and her partner Shoja Azari. The line-up is sprinkled with stars like Oliver Laric, Roberto Fassone, Beatrice Favaretto and Sara Sadik, as well as curators Valentina Tanni and Luca Lo Pinto, who will make in-person appearances. The films will be viewable through mymovies.it until November 21. In addition to the films, the tenth edition of VISIO: European Programme on Artists’ Moving Images forms part of the festival, with works by ten artists curated by Leonardo Bigazzi presented at NAM – Not a Museum at Manifattura Tabacchi in an exhibition titled Thinking Beyond – Moving Images for a Post-Pandemic World from November 9 to December 12.

Cinema La Compagnia, Manifattura Tabacchi + various locations

URBAN/ Mìles: Il legno e la carne

November 14-28

The gallery dedicated to urban art in Florence presents works by street artist and illustrator Simone Miletta (Mìles) dedicated to the well-known Tuscan puppet, Pinocchio. The stunning spaces of the ARTiglieria fill with the wood and flesh exhibit, in collaboration with independent publishing house Contrabbicona. Fairy tales and classics get a contemporary urban twist, with over 75 works on display. Alongside the show, there will be a digital event on the gallery’s new web platform where multimedia material can be found. Musicians from the Orchestra della Toscana are also set to perform. Find out more by emailing info@streetlevelsgallery.com.

ARTiglieria, via Cittadella 4

CRAFTS/ Handmade market Palazzo San Niccolò

11am-8pm, November 14

Sunday market dedicated to high quality Italian craftsmanship and food and wine in the spectacular setting of Palazzo San Niccolò in Florence. With all sorts of clothing, accessories, perfumes, cosmetics, home decorations, food and wine, it’s the perfect chance to get ahead on Christmas shopping. The Voa Voa! Onlus will be present at the event. Free entry.

Palazzo San Niccolò , via di San Niccolò 79, Florence