Biennale Internazionale 
dell'Arte Contemporanea
City of Florence

FORTEZZA DA BASSO
7 - 16 December 2001

Participation in the Biennale is by nomination only. Artists and critics seeking further information about participation in 2001 are invited to use the inquiry form on this website.

The Florence Biennale is the world's most comprehensive exhibition of Contemporary Art, entirely selected and financed by the artists themselves. The participation of 520 painters, sculpturs, performance and graphic artists from 31 countries, has made the Biennale an outstanding success in only its second edition. The Biennale in fact, was inaugurated in 1997, by 317 artists from 17 different countries. Theirs was a striking display of commitment to a radically new model of international show. As generally recognized, Contemporary Art today stands at a cross-roads. For the first time in memory, artists are operating out of the shadows of prevailing trends or "isms"...

There is a general agreement that the triangle of studio, gallery and museum (or collection) that has guided artists into prominence since the days of Durand-Ruel is showing signs of going around in circles. The first warning of this, was sounded by Harald Szeemann at the opening of Prospect 69 at the Dusseldorf Kunsthalle. Last year's 49th Venice Biennale, responded to the problem, by declaring itself dAPERtutto and showing 160 artists, mostly young in reputation, if not in age. The Florence Biennale is uniquely open to expansion and diversity, because it is financed by every artist's equal contribution. Although donation of services, such as the Italian railways' assistance with pubblicity, are greatly appreciated, there is no other significant source of funds than those raised by the artists themselves, and it is a small price for unprecedented freedom.

The Florence Biennale was founded in this spirit in 1997 by Pasquale Celona and his brother Piero Celona. The need was felt for an important international venue that would make it possible for talented career artists to exhibit their latest works and thereby make their presence felt in a panoramic survey of contemporary art. The show aroused great interest in the international press and television and is recorded in a 330-page illustrated-colour catalogue published in hardcover, featuring biographies of every artist and critic. This format was retained for the 1999 catalogue, which runs to 572 pages. In it's 2001 3rd Edition, the Catalogue will also be issued on a CD-ROM format.

Participation in the Biennale is by nomination by the International Commitee of Critics, now numbering almost fifty members. Partecipation are selected without prejudice as to style, theme, or school, nor the artists viewed in the artificial light of "national representation". Prizes "Lorenzo il Magnifico" , "cittā di Firenze" and "alla carriera" are adjudged by an International Jury comprised of distimguished museum curators and contemporary art critics of international venues.

  
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