Florence Biennale


The Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contemporanea, also known as the Florence Biennale is an art exhibition held in Florence, Italy. Since 1997 it has been held every two years in the exhibition spaces of the Fortezza da Basso, Florence.

History

The Biennale in its current form was begun in 1997 by Piero and Pasquale Celona.
The first Art Director of the Florence Biennale was the art historian Stefano Francolini. From 1998 to 2005 the Art Director in charge was the art historian and critic Jhn Spike. Emanuel von Lauestein Massarani, Secretary of Culture and Superintendent of Cultural Heritage of São Paulo took over the job in 2007. Stefano Francolini was made art director again in 2009 and 2011. Florentine art historian and critic Rolando Bellini was appointed in 2013 and is currently in charge.

Criticism

The cost of the Florentine Biennale is borne directly by the participating artists. This has given rise to criticism that the Florence Biennale is a vanity exhibition. Artists shown in the exhibition pay a participation fee between $2700-$4000 to have their work exhibited in the biennale.