The edition III of Arte All’Arte, curated by Florian Matzner and Angela Vettese, involved artists who, through their different styles and approaches, carried out projects and works that gave depth and reality to the key themes of the project such as art, architecture, and landscape. Louise Bourgeois chose to work in the millstone room in Vicolo Capassi in San Gimignano. Ayse Erkmen intervened in front of the church of Mensano and in Casole d’Elsa, while in three different locations in Colle di Val d’Elsa Ilya Kabakov took part. A massive installation by Olaf Metzel was placed in the Fortress of Montalcino. Mimmo Paladino enriched some historic places in Poggibonsi and Bert Theis contributed to the archaeological park Fiumi in Volterra.
Edited by Florian Matzner and Angela Vettese.
"Few discussions in the field of art have been as controversial and animated as the one on the meaning and possibilities of so-called 'art in public space'.
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Do not be lulled into contemplation of the art of the past, but have the courage to experiment. Seek a dialogue between ancient and modern art. To characterise peripheral spaces and urban places with happy contaminations. To seek a relationship between artists and the non-specialist public. Not to be conditioned by the eternal mediation of the museum and the exhibition. Paying attention to the relationship between art, history, the social fabric, the traditional activities of places in Tuscany. These seem to me to be the most interesting aspects, full of reflections and positive spin-offs of the Arte All'Arte event, now in its third edition with growing success. This is certainly thanks to the Associazione Arte Continua, which intelligently promotes it, but also thanks to a happy formula and a series of effective intuitions.
San Gimignano, Casole d'Elsa, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Montalcino, Poggibonsi and Volterra act not only as a backdrop, but also as a stimulus, for artists of the calibre of Bourgeois, Erkmen, Kabakov, Metzel, Paladino and Theis, who are called upon to interact with their urban fabric, but also with the history that permeates them, with the life and people that animate them.
A project between art, architecture and landscape capable of travelling roads little travelled, selecting unpublished places, but also reviving the encounter with environments that have been closed for years, as in the case of the Cassero della Fortezza di Poggibonsi. All in all, this is a true artistic itinerary that unravels in what some have mistakenly called a minor Tuscany, but which proves itself, if ever there was a need, to be increasingly able to offer not only a splendid alternative to the larger cities of art, but to shine with its own light and suggestions.
Vannino Chiti, President Tuscany Region, from Arte All'Arte III, 1998
