The Grand Italian Vision: Contemporary Art Exhibition Makes First-Ever International Stop in Singapore

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The Lion City makes a monumental step in its quest to become a global hub for the arts by hosting an exhibition that features the most important artworks in the Farnesina Collection.

This month of February, fall deeper in love with the arts as The Grand Italian Vision: The Farnesina Collection makes its first-ever international stop in Singapore from February 7 to 25 at The Arts House Singapore. Powered by the National Arts Council in partnership with the Italian Embassy in Singapore, the Italian contemporary art exhibition curated by Achille Bonito Oliva marks the exciting conquest of Singapore to promote its artistic ambition through international exposure.

Originally housed in the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Rome, the Farnesina Collection tells the long history of Italian contemporary art, which features a wide scope of time periods, including Futurism and Metaphysical Art. It delves into the rich cultural heritage of Italy—allowing Singaporeans to join the enthralling journey through the history of Italian art. The dynamic project stars avant-garde works of sculpture, mosaic, painting, photography, and installations that seek to redesign the story of Italy, the place where art is reflected in every detail of its civilization and lifestyle.

From the Heart of Italy to the Heart of Singapore

The exhibition now housed at The Arts House Singapore spotlights over 70 meticulously curated works of grand Italian art. As part of the partnership, the National Art Council Singapore works hand in hand with the Embassy of Italy in Singapore through lateral programs involving local universities and art and cultural stakeholders.

Part of it is the seminar conducted in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, held at The Arts House on February 1 at 5 p.m. Achille Bonito Oliva, the curator of The Grand Italian Vision: The Farnesina Collection graced the event alongside the Founder Director Prof. Ute Meta Bauer, and Dr. Anna Lovecchio, Assistant Director.

Aside from the main exhibition in The Art House, selected pieces will also be displayed in the new exhibition space in the Embassy of Italy in Singapore, which also holds historical and cultural significance to Singapore.

As per Mario Andrea Vattani, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore and Brunei: “Italian art is the expression of our unmistakable identity. It confirms the vitality and creativity of our culture, but at the same time, it is a vehicle for communication and dialogue with other cultures. In this sense, strengthening our relations with the multi-faceted cultural reality of Singapore is one of the most qualifying aspects of our mission in this city-state, and is made more original by Italian creativity, which sinks its roots in a centuries-old tradition, while always showing the new capacity for innovation.”

Here’s What You Need to Know about The Grand Italian Vision: The Farnesina Collection

Staying true to its title, The Grand Italian Vision: The Farnesina Collection greatly emphasizes the visionary—with discovery and innovation at the forefront of its goal. Geared towards connecting the history of the country’s artistic endeavors to its future, visitors of the contemporary art exhibit are brought on a grand tour to fully understand the Italian artistic identity—one that is fundamentally rooted in creativity through iconic pieces, like Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, Futuristic bronze sculpture by sculptor Umberto Boccioni (which has been displayed in highly acclaimed museums across the globe), as well as L’etrusco, the massive 194 cm gilded bronze version of the renowned Etruscan statue by Michelangelo Pistoletto.

Putting a subtle balance among different forms of expression, thematic curation rather than chronological curation is adopted in the exhibit. This highlights the exhibition’s aim of inciting a range of visions from history to geography, from a 20th-century sensibility to the push towards modernity, from intimism to confrontation, from environmental emergencies to migrations and new forms of poverty, and finally, from dialogue to encounter.

In the words of the Italian art critic and curator of The Grand Italian Vision: The Farnesina Collection, Achille Bonito Oliva: “Art is always the fruit of imagination that knows no barriers. Italian art is the clearest proof of this. From the Renaissance to the present day, it has always operated under the sign of renewal and memory.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to see in person the exemplary masterpieces of legendary artists. Visit The Arts House Singapore from February 7 to 25!