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Here’s our round-up for October, 2022.
The long professional life of the renowned photographer is celebrated with his most poignant shots. Selected by the curator Biba Giacchetti together with the French-American photographer. Around 70 photographs will be on display, including shots of Marilyn Monroe, his iconic dogs, and the well-known work titled California Kiss.
Over 130 works curated by Francesca Dini retrace the fascinating evolution and revolution of the Macchiaioli. The progressive painters from Tuscany were avant-gardes in Europe in the mid-late 19th century, with many masterpieces on display on loan from private collections and museums such as the Uffizi, the Gallery of Modern Art of Genoa, and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome.
Piazza Santa Croce in Florence fills with the carefully crafted creations by skilled artisans for two fairs this season. The International Ceramics Fair will be held from October 1-2, followed by the Textile Arts Market from November 5-6, bringing both the passionate and the curious to the central square.
A video installation brings life to the 16th century home of the Roberto Casamonti Collection, with the artistic project created in collaboration with the Uffizi Galleries. The newly inaugurated biennial project selects an international artist who’s commissioned to create a site-specific work for the four niches of the façade’s first floor, which formerly homed statues representing the four seasons. This first installation is by Fabrizio Plessi, whose works represent water, fire, gold and lightning, with more works by the artist on display at Tornabuoni Arte on Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini 3 until November 18.
Over 200 works by the Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis come to the complex designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, displaying engravings and lithographs intertwining art, mathematics, science, physics and design.
Sergio Risaliti curates this prestigious selection of works by 20th century masters from private Florentine and Tuscan collections, taking viewers on a journey through the history of the city and how they have been intertwined over the centuries. Admire works by Paul Klee, Giorgio de Chirico, Giorgio Morandi, Lucio Fontana, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichenstein, Tracey Emin and more.
The Liverpudlian artist shows sculptures and drawings in the museum dedicated to 20th century art, with rooms detailing the artist’s creative process and working method exploring his use of a wide range of materials such as wood, bronze, steel, glass and plastic.
‘Queens & Peace’ is the theme this year for the festival that spotlights pioneers who have changed Florence’s past, present and future. Under the artistic direction of Serena Dandini, the fifth edition of the festival features inspiring figures such as Jill Abramson, the first woman executive editor of The New York Times, and the former magistrate Ilda Boccassini, with war, peace, power and leadership at the centre of the hundreds of events organized.
Technology takes over for days dedicated to digital innovation. The 12th edition of the festival tailors towards a sustainable future, with four days of talks, workshops and more across 13 locations in Pisa. Events look at the relationship between law and food, war and democracy, and art at a time when NFT and Blockchain prompt discussion. Music, cinema and art form part of the wide-ranging programme.
Get moving for a good cause with the charity run raising funds for those affected by breast cancer requesting a minimum donation of 10 euro, resulting in one of the coveted t-shirts by Salvatore Ferragamo that will grant free access to many cultural venues on the day. For those looking to support rather than participate, the t-shirt will be delivered free of charge throughout Italy thanks to BRT.
After two years of closure to the public, the In Collezione programme returns with guided tours for adults and children, and workshops for children and families. Admire works by Giotto, Filippino Lippi, Vasari, Giovanni Fattori and others at the foundation’s headquarters in via Bufalini. Activities are free, with reservation required.
With no fewer than five Italian men in the world’s top 100, Florence is going crazy for tennis with the return of an ATP250 tournament after 28 years. Expect incredible racquet skills from home favourites Berrettini, Sinner and Musetti as well as international stars Aliassime and Monfils at new sporting venue Palazzo Wanny.
Take part in the multilingual book club at the cultural space in via de’ Pucci 4, reading the book in your language of choice and discussing it in Italian. Stay for a coffee or avail of the work/study stations, making use of the free space that’s open to all. On October 4, Forty Names by poet Parwana Fayyaz with Elisa Biagini will be presented and read by actor Giulio Mayer. Talks, workshops and exhibitions will be held from October 21-23 as part of L’Eredità delle Donne, looking at motherhood, inclusive communication, and questions about gender.
The British Institute of Florence
The Wednesday Lecture series at 6pm sees Mark Roberts speak on ‘D.H. Lawrence and Norman Douglas in Florence’. Lynn Catterson follows with ‘The Mysterious Maurice de Bosdari’, Stephanie Azzarello talks about ‘A Beautiful Darkness: Rivalry, Competition, and Madness in Renaissance Florence’, and Timothy Verdon discusses the ‘Florence Baptistery: History, Art, Myth’. The Music al British evenings take place at 6.30pm on October 6 with Kinga Augustyn (violin) and Corrado Ruzza (piano) performing Prokofiev, Ysaÿe and Saint-Saëns, with a piano recital by Milda Daunoraite on October 20.
Weekly life drawing with local artists is held in the space at Lungarno Guicciardini 15, led by Tom J.Byrne with wine refreshments to follow, while writers unite for a brainstorming session with local author and translator Lori Hetherington on October 18.
@sottoalbritish on FB and IG
Italian language classes commence at 7pm on October 3, with author Deirdre Pirro discussing her latest book, Royals in Florence, published by The Florentine Press, at 7pm on October 20.
October 13 sees the launch of a ceramics exhibition on show at their space in Borgo San Frediano until November 12, with workshops from October 21-23 led by Barbara Gerini and Marisa Crussi looking at ‘Who are you’ as part of L’Eredità delle Donne. Find out about their other courses such as yoga and watercolours online.
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Theatre in Area Pettini Burresi
Il Tango delle Civiltà hosts four theatrical performances for children, held at 4pm in the large park on via Faentina. October 2 sees ‘Il giovane gambero’ while October 23 is ‘Piccolo blu e piccolo giallo’. The final shows take place on November 13 and December 4, with free entry for all and no reservation required.
CINEMA
The cinema, art and culture of the Middle East is celebrated with a dedicated festival held at Cinema La Compagnia and Cinema Stensen from October 4-9, opened by Hany Abu-Assad’s Huda’s Salon in the presence of the actor Jalal Masarwa.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Cinema Stensen
Screened in English, the adventure starring Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis intertwines comedy, drama, sci-fi, and action, directed by the filmmaking duo The Daniels, from October 6.
Entre Dos Mundos: Iberoamerican Film Festival
From September 29 to October 2, Cinema La Compagnia hosts the fifth edition of the film fest, while the Grotta Multisala in Sesto Fiorentino takes over from October 5-6. Fostering dialogue between Latin-America and the Italian world, a bridge is formed through cinema and culture, with screenings, exhibitions and special events.
COMEDY
Upcoming stand-up comedians perform at the hostel located at viale Redi 19. Shows take place on October 11 and 25.
Don’t miss the hike, olive harvest and lunch taking place in picturesque Fiesole on October 23, led by Jennifer Deckert (Meama Walking Experience), organized by The Florentine. Lunch costs 27 euro for adults and 15 euro for children. Book your spot: press@theflorentine.net
